iron curtain

noun

Definition of iron curtain

1 : a political, military, and ideological barrier that cuts off and isolates an area specifically, often capitalized : one formerly isolating an area under Soviet control

2 : an impenetrable barrier the iron curtain between the ego and the unconscious— C. J. Rolo

Examples of iron curtain in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web China’s edge threatens to create a digital iron curtain that could soon force nations to choose between Chinese and American technology. — Robin Wright, The New Yorker, "Biden Faces More Aggressive Rivals and a Fraying World Order," 18 Jan. 2021 Where an iron curtain once split Europe, a rainbow curtain now divides the continent. — The Economist, "Charlemagne Life beyond Europe’s rainbow curtain," 21 Nov. 2020 Trump’s admirers in Washington, the move against Chinese tech companies is an act of reciprocity, an acknowledgment that China was the first to splinter the Internet into separate domains divided by a digital iron curtain. — Evan Osnos, The New Yorker, "The TikTok Fiasco Reflects the Bankruptcy of Trump’s Foreign Policy," 25 Sep. 2020 Joanna pulled open the iron curtain with an album called Red Wave. — Andrew Dansby, Houston Chronicle, "Ludovico: The piano’s quiet rock star talks about his first Houston concert," 11 July 2018 Yet, Kashmir itself remains eerily calm, mostly thanks to the iron curtain that has descended around and inside it since the state’s autonomy was abruptly withdrawn on Aug. 5 by India. — Riyaz Wani, Quartz India, "With an eerie calm, Kashmir watches the “Kashmirisation” of India," 9 Jan. 2020 Or will an iron curtain of incompatibility separate them? — Tom Gliatto, PEOPLE.com, "The Best TV Shows of the Decade, from Game of Thrones to Stranger Things," 23 Dec. 2019 Joanna pulled open the iron curtain with an album called Red Wave. — Andrew Dansby, Houston Chronicle, "Ludovico: The piano’s quiet rock star talks about his first Houston concert," 11 July 2018 No matter what happens in the realm of trade, a digital iron curtain – which separates the world into two distinct technological spheres of influence – will continue to be drawn. — Tim Culpan, latimes.com, "Easing Huawei restrictions may help trade, but won’t stop the China tech battle," 1 July 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'iron curtain.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.