iron curtain
noun
1
: a political, military, and ideological barrier that cuts off and isolates an area
specifically,
often Iron curtain
: one formerly isolating an area under Soviet control
2
: an impenetrable barrier
… an iron curtain between the ego and the unconscious …—
C. J. Rolo
C. J. RoloExamples of iron curtain in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Until then, drills buzz into concrete, construction lifts beep loudly, workers iron curtains and more art comes out of storage waiting for a moment in the sun.
—Jessica Gelt, Los Angeles Times, 17 Mar. 2026
The medical ass and the erotic ass never met by day or by night; the two cultures were separated by an iron curtain or fire wall.
—Sean Williams, Harpers Magazine, 24 Feb. 2026
Many Russians who managed to escape Putin’s iron curtain are now facing the same terrifying fate, only this time the destination isn’t an accident.
—Air Mail, 25 Oct. 2025
Taking inspiration from the Chinese Communist Party, the Kremlin has sought to build a digital iron curtain, outlawing Instagram and Facebook and throttling YouTube, which nearly half of Russians over the age of 12 had previously used daily.
—Alexander Gabuev, Foreign Affairs, 17 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for iron curtain
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Jessica Gelt, Los Angeles Times, 17 Mar. 2026
The medical ass and the erotic ass never met by day or by night; the two cultures were separated by an iron curtain or fire wall.
—Sean Williams, Harpers Magazine, 24 Feb. 2026
Many Russians who managed to escape Putin’s iron curtain are now facing the same terrifying fate, only this time the destination isn’t an accident.
—Air Mail, 25 Oct. 2025
Taking inspiration from the Chinese Communist Party, the Kremlin has sought to build a digital iron curtain, outlawing Instagram and Facebook and throttling YouTube, which nearly half of Russians over the age of 12 had previously used daily.
—Alexander Gabuev, Foreign Affairs, 17 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for iron curtain
Cite this Entry
“Iron curtain.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/iron%20curtain. Accessed 30 Mar. 2026.
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