ironclad

1 of 2

adjective

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

ironclad

2 of 2

noun

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

Adjective

The feds should work with local governments to ensure the use of this land for housing at different income bands is ironclad and it doesn’t just get siphoned off for other uses, and is dedicated to building homes for Americans. —New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 18 July 2024

This has proven to be an ironclad success strategy for our team and for our clients. —Rolling Stone Culture Council, Rolling Stone, 16 July 2024

Noun

For at least a decade, its management put speeding production to boost profits over sustaining the ironclad processes and procedures essential to building aircraft featuring the highest levels of reliability and safety. —Will Daniel, Fortune, 26 June 2024

After the complementary trio of Tyler Adams, Musah and McKennie established itself as Berhalter’s midfield of choice at the World Cup, a slew of game-changing performances from Gio Reyna threw a wrench into that ironclad alignment. —Thomas Floyd, Washington Post, 23 June 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

circa 1847, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1862, in the meaning defined above

Kids 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