iron

1 of 3

noun

1
: a silver-white malleable ductile magnetic heavy metallic element that readily rusts in moist air, occurs in pure form in meteorites and combined in most igneous rocks, is the most abundant element on Earth by mass, and is vital to biological processes see Chemical Elements Table
2
: something made of iron: such as
a
: a household device usually with a flat metal base that is heated to smooth, finish, or press (such as cloth)
b
: any of a series of numbered golf clubs having relatively thin metal heads compare wood
c
irons plural : shackles for the hands or legs
d
: a heated metal implement used for branding or cauterizing
e
: stirrup
usually used in plural
3
: great strength, hardness, or determination

iron

2 of 3

adjective

1
: of, relating to, or made of iron
2
: resembling iron
3
a
: strong and healthy : robust
an iron constitution
b
: inflexible, unrelenting
iron determination
c
: holding or binding fast
an iron grip
ironness noun

iron

3 of 3

verb

ironed; ironing; irons

transitive verb

1
a
: to smooth with or as if with a heated iron
iron a shirt
b
: to remove (something, such as wrinkles) by ironing
2
: to shackle with irons
3
: to furnish or cover with iron

intransitive verb

: to smooth or press cloth or clothing with a heated iron
Phrases
iron in the fire
1
: a matter requiring close attention
2
: a prospective course of action

Examples of iron in a Sentence

Adjective he had an iron determination to succeed in on Wall Street
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
They are also required to contain important key minerals for infant growth and development, like iron. Lainey Younkin, Ms, Rd, Parents, 15 Mar. 2024 Compared to other vegetables, Carolina azolla is high in zinc, manganese, iron, calcium, and potassium, and is relatively high in protein (though has less than a grain like barley). Matt Simon, WIRED, 11 Mar. 2024 It's both mechanically harvested and harvested by hand and is known for being a good source of antioxidants and vitamins and minerals such as folate, manganese, phosphorous, iron, vitamin B1 and magnesium. Daryl Austin, USA TODAY, 8 Mar. 2024 Hairstylists aren’t the only ones catching heat — the iron is hot on both sides. Annie Blay, Allure, 6 Mar. 2024 Bear meat is also nutritious, packing 20 grams of protein and 7.2 milligrams of iron per 100 grams. Matthew Every, Field & Stream, 6 Mar. 2024 Taking large doses of iron over a long period can also be fatal. Avery Hurt, Discover Magazine, 4 Mar. 2024 The ball caromed off the back of the iron, bounced, hit the side rim and dropped cleanly through the net. Darren Sabedra, The Mercury News, 1 Mar. 2024 The campus will be bounded by an iron fence and house 200 communal shelter beds under semi-permanent tent-like structures, 80 shipping container units, a communal area, 14 RV parking spots and a dog run and kennel, according to Phoenix's Office of Homeless Solutions. Taylor Seely, The Arizona Republic, 1 Mar. 2024
Adjective
This non-iron chino pant from Charles Tyrwhitt is guaranteed to always look its best, even with minimal care. Christian Gollayan, Men's Health, 6 Mar. 2023 The pandemic has diminished the use of professional and formal attire, leaving the dry cleaning business well below 2019 levels and causing cleaners to worry that COVID-19 has permanently altered the viability of their industry, which has struggled ever since non-iron shirts become popular. oregonlive, 11 June 2021 Following its acquisition by Marks & Spencer in 1988, Brooks Brothers gradually tweaked its most famous offering, introducing non-iron fabrics, slimmer fits and a lined and fused collar. Eric Twardzik, Robb Report, 30 Sep. 2021 Just take this slim-fit button-down dress shirt with a non-iron finish, It's woven from super soft and sturdy Supima cotton that’s also stretchy and wrinkle-resistant. Maverick Li, Men's Health, 9 Jan. 2023 Speak to your doctor about lowering your dose of prenatal vitamins or switching to a non-iron prenatal vitamin. Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 8 Nov. 2022 Its Stretch Regent, coming in various fits and specs, is a modern shirt at its finest, treated with non-iron stretch fabric, wrinkle resistance, and a classic French cuff. Christian Gollayan, Men's Health, 7 Nov. 2022 For my anti-iron lifestyle, the Nori is a clear winner. Rachel Besser, Vogue, 20 Aug. 2021 The broad bill is a moratorium of sorts and covers any kind of hard rock, or non-iron ore, mine anywhere in Minnesota. Jennifer Bjorhus, Star Tribune, 13 Jan. 2021
Verb
Runners and bussers carry out the intricate footwork of service: bending down to adjust a fish knife, raising a silver cloche, ironing a crease out of a starchy white tablecloth, holding a silver ladle high in the air as a blue trickle of flaming rum pours down on a wedge of sticky toffee pudding. Pete Wells, New York Times, 6 Feb. 2024 Symbols on the tag of Mora’s shirt included the maximum temperature the garment could be washed and ironed at and whether or not it could be used with bleach. Kirsty Hatcher, Peoplemag, 15 Jan. 2024 What’s Great About It Though small, this ironing mat provides ample room for ironing in a pinch or small spaces where storage may be a concern. Sharon Brandwein, Southern Living, 6 Feb. 2024 Curiosity is ironed into the fabric of its stories, an earnest desire to wrestle with philosophical questions about man's relationship to God, to artificial intelligence, and to the unknown. Randall Colburn, EW.com, 9 Nov. 2023 Even as the department has become more diverse, the traditional look of a city cop — ironed LAPD blue uniforms, shined shoes and neat haircuts — has remained largely unchanged for decades. Libor Jany, Los Angeles Times, 8 Dec. 2023 The night before, Moss ironed his white pants and white shirt. Emma Goldberg Desiree Rios, New York Times, 21 Jan. 2024 If your curtains get especially wrinkled, taking them down and ironing them out every once in a while will keep them looking fresh. Amanda Lauren, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Dec. 2023 At that time, her mother was earning money by splitting time between babysitting, working a few hours for an insurance company and cooking, ironing clothes and cleaning for neighbors. Soudi Jiménez, Los Angeles Times, 20 Nov. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'iron.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Old English īsern, īren; akin to Old High German īsarn iron

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 3

Time Traveler
The first known use of iron was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near iron

Cite this Entry

“Iron.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/iron. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

iron

1 of 3 noun
1
: a heavy magnetic silver-white metallic element that quickly rusts in moist air, occurs in meteorites and rocks, and is widely used see element
2
: something made of iron: as
a
plural : handcuffs or chains used to bind or hinder movement
b
: a heated metal tool used for branding
c
: a household device with a flat metal base that is heated to smooth or press cloth
3
: strength sense 1, hardness
muscles of iron

iron

2 of 3 adjective
1
: of, relating to, or made of iron
2
: resembling iron
3
: being strong and healthy : robust
an iron constitution
4
: inflexible sense 3, unrelenting
iron determination

iron

3 of 3 verb
: to smooth or press clothes with a heated iron
iron a shirt
ironer noun

Medical Definition

iron

noun
1
: a heavy malleable ductile magnetic silver-white metallic element that readily rusts in moist air, occurs native in meteorites and combined in most igneous rocks, is the most used of metals, and is vital to biological processes (as in transport of oxygen in the body)
symbol Fe
see Chemical Elements Table
2
: iron chemically combined
iron in the blood
iron adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on iron

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