- the Cold War barrier created by political, ideological, and military hostility between Western democracies on the one hand and the Soviet Union and its allies on the other, preventing mutual understanding and the exchange of ideas, travel, etc.: Even when I was living behind the Iron Curtain, some popular music seeped through from the West.
- any barrier preventing the passage of ideas or understanding, especially an ideological, philosophical, or cultural barrier that divides countries, groups of people, or individuals: An iron curtain between theoreticians and creative artists prevented either group from appreciating the contributions of the other.
- an impenetrable barrier to communication or information imposed by rigid censorship or secrecy: The incident is a growing embarrassment for the country on the international stage, meaning that an iron curtain must fall on the subject.
- a safety curtain made of iron or other metal.
- (formerly) the guarded border between the countries of the Soviet bloc and the rest of Europe
- (as modifier)
