Iron Age


noun

the period in the history of humankind, following the Stone Age and the Bronze Age, marked by the use of implements and weapons made of iron.
(lowercase) Classical Mythology. the present age, following the bronze age; the last and worst of the four ages of the human race, characterized by danger, corruption, and toil.
(lowercase) any age or period of degeneracy or wickedness.

Origin of Iron Age

First recorded in 1585–95

Example sentences from the Web for iron age

  • Not necessarily, but it seems our iron-age man is fairly well informed in extraplanetary affairs.

    Blessed Are the Meek |G.C. Edmondson
  • They developed to the bronze-age culture of the civilizations they overthrew, and then, more slowly, to an iron-age culture.

    Temple Trouble |Henry Beam Piper

British Dictionary definitions for iron age (1 of 2)

iron age

noun

classical myth the last and worst age in the history of the world

British Dictionary definitions for iron age (2 of 2)

Iron Age

noun

  1. the period following the Bronze Age characterized by the extremely rapid spread of iron tools and weapons, which began in the Middle East about 1100 bc
  2. (as modifier)an Iron-Age weapon

Scientific definitions for iron age

Iron Age

The period in cultural development succeeding the Bronze Age in Asia, Europe, and Africa, characterized by the introduction of iron metallurgy. In southeastern Europe and the Middle East the beginning of the Iron Age is generally dated to around 1200 bce, with later dates for other parts of Europe and the other continents. Although not as hard or durable as bronze, iron is a more abundant resource, and the Iron Age saw a rapid expansion of metalworking wherever the technology was introduced. See Note at Three Age system.

Cultural definitions for iron age

Iron Age

The period of history, succeeding the Bronze Age, when people first learned to extract iron from ore and use it to forge tools, weapons, and other objects. The first organized production of iron objects developed in southwestern Asia shortly after 2000 b.c.