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
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
ironed; ironing; irons
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
: to smooth or press cloth or clothing with a heated iron
Synonyms
Examples of iron in a Sentence
Adjective
he had an iron determination to succeed in on Wall Street
Recent Examples on the Web
Sarah Rappaport, Fortune Europe, 18 Apr. 2024
The accommodations at the property are my next favorite aspect, particularly the Magnifique oceanfront room, with its French doors giving way to a charming iron balcony overlooking the water.
—Brande Victorian, Essence, 16 Apr. 2024
My irons have been holding me back, and normally that’s not the case.
—Sam Farmer, Los Angeles Times, 12 Apr. 2024
On social networks, soldiers have posted videos of themselves pouring hot water into drip coffee bags placed on iron cups before savoring the steaming drink in a log trench.
—Daria Mitiuk Brendan Hoffman, New York Times, 12 Apr. 2024
This 100-room boutique hotel is somewhat of a Key West outlier, swapping out the island’s common Old Florida colors and aesthetic for an unexpected and sleek modern-industrial look featuring dark wood, grays, and iron accents throughout.
—Katherine Alex Beaven, Travel + Leisure, 11 Apr. 2024
The two-story building reveals a majestic site, complete with statues, a cherry blossom tree, a wrought iron fence, exhibit signs, and even an exterior window cleaner.
—Alida Nugent, Peoplemag, 10 Apr. 2024
Insufficient iron, most easily absorbed from meat, saps energy and affects the ability to concentrate.
—Lauren Weber, Washington Post, 4 Apr. 2024
They’re also filled with a ton of essential minerals like phosphorus, magnesium, calcium, potassium, sulfur, iron, and zinc.
—Alessandra Signorelli, Vogue, 4 Apr. 2024
Christian Gollayan, Men's Health, 6 Mar. 2023
The pandemic has diminished the use of professional and formal attire, leaving the dry cleaning business well below 2019 levels and causing cleaners to worry that COVID-19 has permanently altered the viability of their industry, which has struggled ever since non-iron shirts become popular.
—oregonlive, 11 June 2021
Following its acquisition by Marks & Spencer in 1988, Brooks Brothers gradually tweaked its most famous offering, introducing non-iron fabrics, slimmer fits and a lined and fused collar.
—Eric Twardzik, Robb Report, 30 Sep. 2021
Just take this slim-fit button-down dress shirt with a non-iron finish, It's woven from super soft and sturdy Supima cotton that’s also stretchy and wrinkle-resistant.
—Maverick Li, Men's Health, 9 Jan. 2023
Speak to your doctor about lowering your dose of prenatal vitamins or switching to a non-iron prenatal vitamin.
—Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 8 Nov. 2022
Its Stretch Regent, coming in various fits and specs, is a modern shirt at its finest, treated with non-iron stretch fabric, wrinkle resistance, and a classic French cuff.
—Christian Gollayan, Men's Health, 7 Nov. 2022
For my anti-iron lifestyle, the Nori is a clear winner.
—Rachel Besser, Vogue, 20 Aug. 2021
The broad bill is a moratorium of sorts and covers any kind of hard rock, or non-iron ore, mine anywhere in Minnesota.
—Jennifer Bjorhus, Star Tribune, 13 Jan. 2021
Ayelet Waldman, The New Yorker, 30 Mar. 2024
Archaeologists also found amphorae storage jars which were used to ‘quench’ the lime used for plastering as well as to store other tools, from lead weights used to erect a perfectly vertical wall, to iron hoes to prepare mortar and work lime.
—Reuters, NBC News, 25 Mar. 2024
Sometimes, the service goes even further and involves steaming, ironing, and putting sheets on a customer's bed.
—Brin Snelling, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2024
The Best Walkie-Talkies of 2024 Perler Marvel Avengers Fuse Bead Kit
$18
This Marvel Avengers bead kit includes everything kids need to make their own masterpiece: 4,500 beads, a pegboard, ironing paper, and one pattern sheet with easy-to-understand instructions.
—Erica Puisis, Parents, 9 Mar. 2024
As the scene opens, Lisa’s character stands at an ironing board, ironing.
—Owen Thomas, The Christian Science Monitor, 26 Feb. 2024
Runners and bussers carry out the intricate footwork of service: bending down to adjust a fish knife, raising a silver cloche, ironing a crease out of a starchy white tablecloth, holding a silver ladle high in the air as a blue trickle of flaming rum pours down on a wedge of sticky toffee pudding.
—Pete Wells, New York Times, 6 Feb. 2024
Symbols on the tag of Mora’s shirt included the maximum temperature the garment could be washed and ironed at and whether or not it could be used with bleach.
—Kirsty Hatcher, Peoplemag, 15 Jan. 2024
What’s Great About It Though small, this ironing mat provides ample room for ironing in a pinch or small spaces where storage may be a concern.
—Sharon Brandwein, Southern Living, 6 Feb. 2024
Noun
The entrance features a winding iron staircase that leads up to the open-plan primary living space.
—Sarah Rappaport, Fortune Europe, 18 Apr. 2024
The accommodations at the property are my next favorite aspect, particularly the Magnifique oceanfront room, with its French doors giving way to a charming iron balcony overlooking the water.
—Brande Victorian, Essence, 16 Apr. 2024
My irons have been holding me back, and normally that’s not the case.
—Sam Farmer, Los Angeles Times, 12 Apr. 2024
On social networks, soldiers have posted videos of themselves pouring hot water into drip coffee bags placed on iron cups before savoring the steaming drink in a log trench.
—Daria Mitiuk Brendan Hoffman, New York Times, 12 Apr. 2024
This 100-room boutique hotel is somewhat of a Key West outlier, swapping out the island’s common Old Florida colors and aesthetic for an unexpected and sleek modern-industrial look featuring dark wood, grays, and iron accents throughout.
—Katherine Alex Beaven, Travel + Leisure, 11 Apr. 2024
The two-story building reveals a majestic site, complete with statues, a cherry blossom tree, a wrought iron fence, exhibit signs, and even an exterior window cleaner.
—Alida Nugent, Peoplemag, 10 Apr. 2024
Insufficient iron, most easily absorbed from meat, saps energy and affects the ability to concentrate.
—Lauren Weber, Washington Post, 4 Apr. 2024
They’re also filled with a ton of essential minerals like phosphorus, magnesium, calcium, potassium, sulfur, iron, and zinc.
—Alessandra Signorelli, Vogue, 4 Apr. 2024
Adjective
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
The pandemic has diminished the use of professional and formal attire, leaving the dry cleaning business well below 2019 levels and causing cleaners to worry that COVID-19 has permanently altered the viability of their industry, which has struggled ever since non-iron shirts become popular.
—oregonlive, 11 June 2021
Following its acquisition by Marks & Spencer in 1988, Brooks Brothers gradually tweaked its most famous offering, introducing non-iron fabrics, slimmer fits and a lined and fused collar.
—Eric Twardzik, Robb Report, 30 Sep. 2021
Just take this slim-fit button-down dress shirt with a non-iron finish, It's woven from super soft and sturdy Supima cotton that’s also stretchy and wrinkle-resistant.
—Maverick Li, Men's Health, 9 Jan. 2023
Speak to your doctor about lowering your dose of prenatal vitamins or switching to a non-iron prenatal vitamin.
—Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 8 Nov. 2022
Its Stretch Regent, coming in various fits and specs, is a modern shirt at its finest, treated with non-iron stretch fabric, wrinkle resistance, and a classic French cuff.
—Christian Gollayan, Men's Health, 7 Nov. 2022
For my anti-iron lifestyle, the Nori is a clear winner.
—Rachel Besser, Vogue, 20 Aug. 2021
The broad bill is a moratorium of sorts and covers any kind of hard rock, or non-iron ore, mine anywhere in Minnesota.
—Jennifer Bjorhus, Star Tribune, 13 Jan. 2021
Verb
Each scrap of fabric—and there are usually hundreds of them—must then be ironed, matched, and pinned.
—Ayelet Waldman, The New Yorker, 30 Mar. 2024
Archaeologists also found amphorae storage jars which were used to ‘quench’ the lime used for plastering as well as to store other tools, from lead weights used to erect a perfectly vertical wall, to iron hoes to prepare mortar and work lime.
—Reuters, NBC News, 25 Mar. 2024
Sometimes, the service goes even further and involves steaming, ironing, and putting sheets on a customer's bed.
—Brin Snelling, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2024
The Best Walkie-Talkies of 2024 Perler Marvel Avengers Fuse Bead Kit
$18
This Marvel Avengers bead kit includes everything kids need to make their own masterpiece: 4,500 beads, a pegboard, ironing paper, and one pattern sheet with easy-to-understand instructions.
—Erica Puisis, Parents, 9 Mar. 2024
As the scene opens, Lisa’s character stands at an ironing board, ironing.
—Owen Thomas, The Christian Science Monitor, 26 Feb. 2024
Runners and bussers carry out the intricate footwork of service: bending down to adjust a fish knife, raising a silver cloche, ironing a crease out of a starchy white tablecloth, holding a silver ladle high in the air as a blue trickle of flaming rum pours down on a wedge of sticky toffee pudding.
—Pete Wells, New York Times, 6 Feb. 2024
Symbols on the tag of Mora’s shirt included the maximum temperature the garment could be washed and ironed at and whether or not it could be used with bleach.
—Kirsty Hatcher, Peoplemag, 15 Jan. 2024
What’s Great About It Though small, this ironing mat provides ample room for ironing in a pinch or small spaces where storage may be a concern.
—Sharon Brandwein, Southern Living, 6 Feb. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'iron.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near iron
Cite this Entry
“Iron.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/iron. Accessed 23 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
iron
1 of 3 noun1
: 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 adjective1
: 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
noun1
: 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
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