/ ˈaɪən; NAmE ˈaɪərn/ noun , verb , adjective
■ noun
METAL
1.
[ U ] ( symb Fe ) a chemical element. Iron is a hard strong metal that is used to make steel and is also found in small quantities in blood and food :
cast / wrought / corrugated iron
iron gates / bars / railings
an iron and steel works
iron ore (= rock containing iron)
patients with iron deficiency (= not enough iron in their blood)
iron tablets (= containing iron prepared as a medicine)
( figurative )
She had a will of iron (= it was very strong) .
TOOL
2.
[ C ] a tool with a flat metal base that can be heated and used to make clothes smooth :
a steam iron
3.
[ C ] (usually in compounds) a tool made of iron or another metal
—see also branding iron , soldering iron , tire iron
FOR PRISONERS
4.
irons [ pl. ] chains or other heavy objects made of iron, attached to the arms and legs of prisoners, especially in the past ( old-fashioned )
IN GOLF
5.
[ C ] one of the set of clubs (= sticks for hitting the ball with) that have a metal head
—compare wood
•
IDIOMS
- have several, etc. irons in the fire
—more at pump verb , rule verb , strike verb
■ verb
to make clothes, etc. smooth by using an iron :
[ vn ]
I'll need to iron that dress before I can wear it.
[ v ]
He was ironing when I arrived.
—see also ironing
•
PHRASAL VERBS
- iron sth out
■ adjective
[ only before noun ] very strong and determined :
She was known as the 'Iron Lady'.
a man of iron will
•
IDIOMS
- an iron fist / hand (in a velvet glove)
••
WORD ORIGIN
Old English īren , īsen , īsern , of Germanic origin; related to Dutch ijzer and German Eisen , and probably ultimately from Celtic .