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
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
Ashia Aubourg, Outside Online, 8 Nov. 2024
Goldy talks prices with me while curling a customer’s wig with an iron; the woman stares out the window, blissed out, at the rush of traffic below.
—Talia Lavin, Curbed, 7 Nov. 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
Charlie Hobbs, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Nov. 2024
In a consumer study, participants found that this cream ironed our their lines out in just seven days.
—Emily Orofino, Vogue, 23 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for iron 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Noun
Leafy greens add nutrients like fiber, iron, magnesium, potassium, and calcium.
—Ashia Aubourg, Outside Online, 8 Nov. 2024
Goldy talks prices with me while curling a customer’s wig with an iron; the woman stares out the window, blissed out, at the rush of traffic below.
—Talia Lavin, Curbed, 7 Nov. 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
Verb
There’s the uniform for one thing, which changes with the seasons and weather and varies from park to park, but is invariably best worn ironed with the shirt tucked in.
—Charlie Hobbs, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Nov. 2024
In a consumer study, participants found that this cream ironed our their lines out in just seven days.
—Emily Orofino, Vogue, 23 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for iron
Dictionary Entries Near iron
Cite this Entry
“Iron.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/iron. Accessed 28 Nov. 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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