iron
♦ iron /'aɪ'ərn/ (irons ironing ironed)
1 [N-UNCOUNT] oft N n
Iron is an element which usually takes the form of a hard, dark grey metal. It is used to make steel, and also forms part of many tools, buildings, and vehicles. Very small amounts of iron occur in your blood and in food.
The huge, iron gate was locked.
...the highest grade iron ore deposits in the world...
see also cast-iron
2 [N-COUNT]
An iron is an electrical device with a flat metal base. You heat it until the base is hot, then rub it over clothes to remove creases.
3 [VERB] V n, V-ed
If you iron clothes, you remove the creases from them using an iron.
She used to iron his shirts...
...a freshly ironed shirt.
● ironing [N-UNCOUNT]
I managed to get all the ironing done this morning.
4 [ADJ] ADJ n
You can use iron to describe the character or behaviour of someone who is very firm in their decisions and actions, or who can control their feelings well.
...a man of icy nerve and iron will...
5 [ADJ] ADJ n
Iron is used in expressions such as an iron hand and iron discipline to describe strong, harsh, or unfair methods of control which do not allow people much freedom.
He died in 1985 after ruling Albania with an iron fist for 40 years.
6 [PHRASE]
If someone has a lot of irons in the fire, they are involved in several different activities or have several different plans.cast iron
1 [N-UNCOUNT]
Cast iron is iron which contains a small amount of carbon. It is hard and cannot be bent so it has to be made into objects by casting.
Made from cast iron, it is finished in graphite enamel.
...the cast-iron chair legs.
2 [ADJ] usu ADJ n
A cast-iron guarantee or alibi is one that is absolutely certain to be effective and will not fail you.
They would have to offer cast-iron guarantees to invest in long-term projects.iron out
[PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron)
If you iron out difficulties, you resolve them and bring them to an end.
It was in the beginning, when we were still ironing out problems...
= smooth outsol|der|ing iron (soldering irons)
[N-COUNT]
A soldering iron is a tool used to solder things together.steam iron (steam irons)
[N-COUNT]
A steam iron is an electric iron that produces steam from water that you put into it. The steam makes it easier to get the creases out of your clothes.wrought iron
also wrought-iron
[N-UNCOUNT]
Wrought iron is a type of iron that is easily formed into shapes and is used especially for making gates, fences, and furniture.
1 [N-UNCOUNT] oft N n
Iron is an element which usually takes the form of a hard, dark grey metal. It is used to make steel, and also forms part of many tools, buildings, and vehicles. Very small amounts of iron occur in your blood and in food.
The huge, iron gate was locked.
...the highest grade iron ore deposits in the world...
see also cast-iron
2 [N-COUNT]
An iron is an electrical device with a flat metal base. You heat it until the base is hot, then rub it over clothes to remove creases.
3 [VERB] V n, V-ed
If you iron clothes, you remove the creases from them using an iron.
She used to iron his shirts...
...a freshly ironed shirt.
● ironing [N-UNCOUNT]
I managed to get all the ironing done this morning.
4 [ADJ] ADJ n
You can use iron to describe the character or behaviour of someone who is very firm in their decisions and actions, or who can control their feelings well.
...a man of icy nerve and iron will...
5 [ADJ] ADJ n
Iron is used in expressions such as an iron hand and iron discipline to describe strong, harsh, or unfair methods of control which do not allow people much freedom.
He died in 1985 after ruling Albania with an iron fist for 40 years.
6 [PHRASE]
If someone has a lot of irons in the fire, they are involved in several different activities or have several different plans.cast iron
1 [N-UNCOUNT]
Cast iron is iron which contains a small amount of carbon. It is hard and cannot be bent so it has to be made into objects by casting.
Made from cast iron, it is finished in graphite enamel.
...the cast-iron chair legs.
2 [ADJ] usu ADJ n
A cast-iron guarantee or alibi is one that is absolutely certain to be effective and will not fail you.
They would have to offer cast-iron guarantees to invest in long-term projects.iron out
[PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron)
If you iron out difficulties, you resolve them and bring them to an end.
It was in the beginning, when we were still ironing out problems...
= smooth outsol|der|ing iron (soldering irons)
[N-COUNT]
A soldering iron is a tool used to solder things together.steam iron (steam irons)
[N-COUNT]
A steam iron is an electric iron that produces steam from water that you put into it. The steam makes it easier to get the creases out of your clothes.wrought iron
also wrought-iron
[N-UNCOUNT]
Wrought iron is a type of iron that is easily formed into shapes and is used especially for making gates, fences, and furniture.