- a ductile, malleable, silver-white metallic element, scarcely known in a pure condition, but much used in its crude or impure carbon-containing forms for making tools, implements, machinery, etc. Symbol: Fe; atomic weight: 55.847; atomic number: 26; specific gravity: 7.86 at 20°C.
- something hard, strong, rigid, unyielding, or the like: hearts of iron.
- an instrument, utensil, weapon, etc., made of iron.
- an appliance with a flat metal bottom, used when heated, as by electricity, to press or smooth clothes, linens, etc.
- one of a series of nine iron-headed clubs having progressively sloped-back faces, used for driving or lofting the ball.
- a branding iron.
- any of several tools, structural members, etc., of metals other than iron.
- the blade of a carpenter's plane.
- a pistol.
- a harpoon.
- a preparation of iron or containing iron, used chiefly in the treatment of anemia, or as a styptic and astringent.
- shackles or fetters: Put him in irons!
- a sword.
- of, containing, or made of iron: an iron skillet.
- resembling iron in firmness, strength, color, etc.: an iron will.
- stern; harsh; cruel: the iron reign of a tyrant.
- inflexible; unrelenting: Our club's iron rule is to treat everyone like family.
- strong; robust; healthy: She lived well into her 90's with a sunny disposition and iron constitution.
- holding or binding strongly: The country is in the icy, iron grip of the beast from the east, bitter Siberian winds that have trapped us in winter.
- irritating or harsh in tone: an iron voice.
- to smooth or press with a heated iron, as clothes or linens.
- to furnish, mount, or arm with iron.
- to shackle or fetter with irons.
- to smooth and thin the walls of (an object being deep-drawn).
- to press clothes, linens, etc., with an iron.
- iron out,
- to iron or press (an item of clothing or the like).
- to remove (wrinkles) from by ironing.
- to resolve or clear up (difficulties, disagreements, etc.): The problem was ironed out months ago.
- in irons,
- (of a sailing vessel) unable to maneuver because of the position of the sails with relation to the direction of the wind.
- (of a towing vessel) unable to maneuver because of tension on the towing line.
- in shackles or fetters.
- matters with which one is immediately concerned; undertakings; projects: He had other irons in the fire, so that one failure would not destroy him.
- to lift weights as an exercise or in competition.
- to act quickly when an opportunity presents itself.
- a malleable ductile silvery-white ferromagnetic metallic element occurring principally in haematite and magnetite. It is widely used for structural and engineering purposes. Symbol: Fe; atomic no: 26; atomic wt: 55.847; valency: 2,3,4, or 6; relative density: 7.874; melting pt: 1538°C; boiling pt: 2862°C
- (as modifier)
- any of certain tools or implements made of iron or steel, esp for use when hot
- an appliance for pressing fabrics using dry heat or steam, esp a small electrically heated device with a handle and a weighted flat bottom
- any of various golf clubs with narrow metal heads, numbered from 1 to 9 according to the slant of the face, used esp for approach shots
- an informal word for harpoon (def. 1)
- a splintlike support for a malformed leg
- great hardness, strength, or resolve
- astronomy short for iron meteorite
- See shooting iron
- to act at an opportune moment
- very hard, immovable, or implacable
- very strong; extremely robust
- cruel or unyielding
- a cruel and unyielding attitude or approach
- to smooth (clothes or fabric) by removing (creases or wrinkles) using a heated iron; press
- to furnish or clothe with iron
- to place (a prisoner) in irons
