iron

1 of 3

noun

ˈī(-ə)rn 

1

: a silver-white malleable ductile magnetic heavy metallic element that readily rusts in moist air, occurs in pure form in meteorites and combined in most igneous rocks, is the most abundant element on Earth by mass, and is vital to biological processes see Chemical Elements Table

2

: something made of iron: such as

a

: a household device usually with a flat metal base that is heated to smooth, finish, or press (such as cloth)

b

: any of a series of numbered golf clubs having relatively thin metal heads compare wood

c

irons plural : shackles for the hands or legs

d

: a heated metal implement used for branding or cauterizing

e

: stirrup

—usually used in plural

3

: great strength, hardness, or determination

see also:

iron in the fire

iron

2 of 3

adjective

1

: of, relating to, or made of iron

2

: resembling iron

3

a

: strong and healthy : robust

an iron constitution

b

: inflexible, unrelenting

iron determination

c

: holding or binding fast

an iron grip

ironness

ˈī(-ə)rn-nəs 

noun

iron

3 of 3

verb

ironed; ironing; irons

transitive verb

1

a

: to smooth with or as if with a heated iron

iron a shirt

b

: to remove (something, such as wrinkles) by ironing

2

: to shackle with irons

3

: to furnish or cover with iron

intransitive verb

: to smooth or press cloth or clothing with a heated iron

Synonyms of iron

Noun

• chain
• handcuff(s)
• bracelet
• bind
• confinement

Adjective

• solid
• sturdy
• strong
• firm
• vigorous

Examples of iron in a Sentence

Noun

guards forced the prisoners to sleep while still shackled in irons

Adjective

he had an iron determination to succeed in on Wall Street

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Fitzpatrick's ability to flush the disappointing bogey on the 72nd hole and immediately answer with a 4-iron for the ages minutes later in the playoff against Scheffler emphatically shows the 31-year-old deserves the 'elite' title next to his name. —Mark Harris Outkick, FOXNews.com, 20 Apr. 2026

The remarkable iron shot from the right side of the fairway with two skips into the hole — his final hole of the 2026 RBC Heritage — assured him a tie for eighth place and massive $550,000 payday. —Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 20 Apr. 2026

Adjective

Preventing Minnesota from issuing non-iron mining permits to bad actors who have violated specific international laws, such as corruption and bribery or natural resource destruction. —Mary Murphy, Twin Cities, 17 Apr. 2026

This non-iron chino pant from Charles Tyrwhitt is guaranteed to always look its best, even with minimal care. —Christian Gollayan, Men's Health, 6 Mar. 2023

Verb

Once Zappia and Kuntzendorf ironed that out, Zappia was able to show off his talent Thursday. —Paul Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 17 Apr. 2026

The nifty Nori Press Travel Steam Iron makes ironing a one-product job. —Clara McMahon, PEOPLE, 10 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Old English īsern, īren; akin to Old High German īsarn iron

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 3

Phrases Containing iron

• alpha iron
• angle iron
• cast-iron
• climbing iron
• curling iron
• flat iron
• ingot iron
• iron curtain
• iron gray
• iron hand
• iron horse
• iron in the fire
• iron lung
• iron maiden
• iron man
• iron out
• iron out the wrinkles
• iron oxide
• iron pyrites
• iron ration
• iron sulfide
• pig iron
• pump iron
• rule with an iron fist/hand
• rule with a rod of iron
• shooting iron
• soldering iron
• steam iron
• strike while the iron is hot
• waffle iron
• work/iron out the kinks
• wrought iron

Rhymes for iron

• flatiron
• gridiron

Kids Definition

iron

1 of 3 noun

ˈī(-ə)rn 

1

: a heavy magnetic silver-white metallic element that quickly rusts in moist air, occurs in meteorites and rocks, and is widely used see element

2

: something made of iron: as

a

plural : handcuffs or chains used to bind or hinder movement

b

: a heated metal tool used for branding

c

: a household device with a flat metal base that is heated to smooth or press cloth

3

: strength sense 1, hardness

muscles of iron

iron

2 of 3 adjective

1

: of, relating to, or made of iron

2

: resembling iron

3

: being strong and healthy : robust

an iron constitution

4

: inflexible sense 3, unrelenting

iron determination

iron

3 of 3 verb

: to smooth or press clothes with a heated iron

iron a shirt

ironer noun

Medical Definition

iron

noun

ˈī(-ə)rn 

1

: a heavy malleable ductile magnetic silver-white metallic element that readily rusts in moist air, occurs native in meteorites and combined in most igneous rocks, is the most used of metals, and is vital to biological processes (as in transport of oxygen in the body)

—symbol Fe see Chemical Elements Table

2

: iron chemically combined

iron in the blood

iron adjective