cast-iron

1 of 2

adjective

ˈkast-ˈī(-ə)rn 

1

: made of cast iron

2

: resembling cast iron: such as

a

: capable of withstanding great strain

a cast-iron stomach

b

: not admitting change, adaptation, or exception : rigid

a cast-iron will

c

British : not likely to fail or be broken : airtight

"Clever idea, Black, getting yourself seen on a safe station platform … gave you a cast-iron excuse not to leave your hidey-hole in future, didn't it?"

—J. K. Rowling

cast iron

2 of 2

noun

: a commercial alloy of iron, carbon, and silicon that is cast in a mold and is hard, brittle, nonmalleable, and incapable of being hammer-welded but more easily fusible than steel

Synonyms

Adjective

• brassbound
• exacting
• hard-line
• inflexible
• rigid
• rigorous
• strict
• stringent
• uncompromising

Examples of cast-iron in a Sentence

Adjective

lost weight only after a cast-iron adherence to his diet

he has a cast-iron faith in his innate ability to overcome any adversity that life might throw against him

Noun

The fence is made of cast iron.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

So the trick is to tamper down the background noise, omit bossy vanilla, and roast the peaches briefly with sugar in a cast-iron skillet to amplify their flavor. —Anne Byrn, Southern Living, 22 May 2025

Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a cast-iron skillet or griddle over direct medium heat on the grill (or on the stovetop over medium heat). —Lynda Balslev, Mercury News, 21 May 2025

Noun

Considerations Regular maintenance needs: Raw cast iron needs regular seasoning to maintain its nonstick surface and prevent rust. —Katelyn Squiers, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 May 2025

The black and white smoke comes from a cast iron stove inside the Sistine Chapel. —Greta Cross, USA Today, 8 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1692, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1664, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for cast-iron

• aileron
• antiphon
• autobahn
• carillon
• castellan
• celadon
• cephalon
• chitosan
• cynodon
• denouement
• deuteron
• echelon

Kids Definition

cast iron

noun

: a hard brittle alloy of iron, carbon, and silicon shaped by being poured into a mold while melted