iron·clad
ˈī(-ə)rn-ˈklad 
1
: sheathed in iron armor
—used especially of naval vessels
2
: so firm or secure as to be unbreakable: such as
a
: binding
an ironclad oath
b
: having no obvious weakness
an ironclad case against the defendant
iron·clad
ˈī(-ə)rn-ˌklad
: an armored naval vessel especially of the mid to late 19th century
Examples of ironclad in a Sentence
Adjective
The company has an ironclad policy against revealing secrets to competitors.
He has an ironclad alibi.
Recent Examples on the Web
Gregory H. Shill, The Conversation, 8 Apr. 2025
In return for providing this ironclad security umbrella, the United States asked that its NATO partners fully integrate their armed forces within this U.S.-led structure.
—Ivo H. Daalder, Foreign Affairs, 28 Mar. 2025
Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 6 Apr. 2025
The bottom line is that despite having APIs or connectivity of one kind or another, there isn’t an ironclad guarantee that the AGIs will opt to cooperate.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ironclad
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Adjective
Wall Street has mostly accepted the bargain: ironclad insulation of Zuckerberg in exchange for rock-solid Meta returns.
—Gregory H. Shill, The Conversation, 8 Apr. 2025
In return for providing this ironclad security umbrella, the United States asked that its NATO partners fully integrate their armed forces within this U.S.-led structure.
—Ivo H. Daalder, Foreign Affairs, 28 Mar. 2025
Noun
Based on Knox’s statements, Lumumba was brought in for questioning, despite having an ironclad alibi.
—Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 6 Apr. 2025
The bottom line is that despite having APIs or connectivity of one kind or another, there isn’t an ironclad guarantee that the AGIs will opt to cooperate.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ironclad
Cite this Entry
“Ironclad.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ironclad. Accessed 3 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
ironclad
1 of 2 adjective
iron·clad
-ˈklad
1
: covered by iron armor
2
: rigorous sense 1, exacting
ironclad laws
ironclad
2 of 2 noun
iron·clad
-ˌklad
: an armored naval vessel
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