iron

[ ahy-ern ]

/ ˈaɪ ərn /

noun

Chemistry. 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. Compare cast iron, pig iron, steel, wrought iron.

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.

Golf. one of a series of nine iron-headed clubs having progressively sloped-back faces, used for driving or lofting the ball. Compare wood¹(def 8).

a branding iron.

any of several tools, structural members, etc., of metals other than iron.

the blade of a carpenter's plane.

Slang. a pistol.

a harpoon.

Medicine/Medical. a preparation of iron or containing iron, used chiefly in the treatment of anemia, or as a styptic and astringent.

irons, shackles or fetters: Put him in irons!

a sword.

adjective

of, containing, or made of iron: an iron skillet.

resembling iron in firmness, strength, color, etc.: an iron will.

stern; harsh; cruel.

inflexible; unrelenting.

strong; robust; healthy.

holding or binding strongly: an iron grip.

irritating or harsh in tone: an iron voice.

verb (used with object)

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.

Metalworking. to smooth and thin the walls of (an object being deep-drawn).

verb (used without object)

to press clothes, linens, etc., with an iron.

Verb Phrases

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.

Idioms for iron

in irons,

Nautical. (of a sailing vessel) unable to maneuver because of the position of the sails with relation to the direction of the wind.
Nautical. (of a towing vessel) unable to maneuver because of tension on the towing line.
Also into irons. in shackles or fetters.

irons in the fire, matters with which one is immediately concerned; undertakings; projects: He had other irons in the fire, so that one failure would not destroy him.

pump iron, to lift weights as an exercise or in competition.

strike while the iron is hot, to act quickly when an opportunity presents itself.

Origin of iron

before 900; Middle English, Old English īren (noun and adj.), perhaps < *īsren, metathesized from īsern, variant of īsen; compare Old Saxon, Old High German, Old Norse īsarn, Gothic eisarn < Germanic *īsarnam, perhaps < Celtic; compare Gaulish Ysarno-, Iserno- (in place names), Old Breton hoiarn, Welsh haearn, Old Irish íarn

OTHER WORDS FROM iron

i·ron·less, adjective i·ron·like, adjective un·i·roned, adjective well-i·roned, adjective

Words nearby iron

irm, irma, irminger current, iro, iroko, iron, iron age, iron blue, iron brick, iron chancellor, iron cross

British Dictionary definitions for strike while the iron is hot

iron

/ (ˈaɪən) /

noun

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°CSee also steel, cast iron, wrought iron, pig iron Related adjectives: ferric, ferrous Related prefix: ferro-
(as modifier)iron railings

any of certain tools or implements made of iron or steel, esp for use when hot a grappling iron; a soldering iron

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 a No. 6 iron

an informal word for harpoon (def. 1)

US slang a splintlike support for a malformed leg

great hardness, strength, or resolve a will of iron

astronomy short for iron meteorite

See shooting iron

strike while the iron is hot to act at an opportune moment

adjective

very hard, immovable, or implacable iron determination

very strong; extremely robust an iron constitution

cruel or unyielding he ruled with an iron hand

an iron fist a cruel and unyielding attitude or approach See also velvet (def. 6)

verb

to smooth (clothes or fabric) by removing (creases or wrinkles) using a heated iron; press

(tr) to furnish or clothe with iron

(tr) rare to place (a prisoner) in irons

Derived forms of iron

ironer, noun ironless, adjective ironlike, adjective

Word Origin for iron

Old English irēn; related to Old High German īsan, Old Norse jārn; compare Old Irish īarn

Medical definitions for strike while the iron is hot

iron

[ ī′ərn ]

n.

A lustrous, malleable, ductile, magnetic or magnetizable metallic element. Atomic number 26.

A dietary supplement or medication containing an iron salt, such as ferrous sulfate.

adj.

Made of or containing iron.

Scientific definitions for strike while the iron is hot

iron

[ ī′ərn ]

Fe

A silvery-white, hard metallic element that occurs abundantly in minerals such as hematite, magnetite, pyrite, and ilmenite. It is malleable and ductile, can be magnetized, and rusts readily in moist air. It is used to make steel and other alloys important in construction and manufacturing. Iron is a component of hemoglobin, which allows red blood cells to carry oxygen and carbon dioxide through the body. Atomic number 26; atomic weight 55.845; melting point 1,535°C; boiling point 2,750°C; specific gravity 7.874 (at 20°C); valence 2, 3, 4, 6. See Periodic Table. See Note at element.

Cultural definitions for strike while the iron is hot

Strike while the iron is hot

Take advantage of favorable circumstances while they last. The image is from a blacksmith's shop; the smith can shape iron only by striking it with his hammer when it is red hot.

Idioms and Phrases with strike while the iron is hot (1 of 2)

strike while the iron is hot

Take advantage of favorable conditions, as in They just made a huge profit, so let's strike while the iron is hot and ask for some money. This adage alludes to the blacksmith's forge. [Late 1300s] Also see make hay while the sun shines.

Idioms and Phrases with strike while the iron is hot (2 of 2)

iron

In addition to the idioms beginning with iron

iron hand
iron out
irons in the fire, too many

also see:

pump iron
strike while the iron's hot

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

iron

noun

adjective

verb (used with object)

verb (used without object)

Verb Phrases

Idioms for iron

Origin of iron

OTHER WORDS FROM iron

Words nearby iron

British Dictionary definitions for strike while the iron is hot

noun

adjective

verb

Derived forms of iron

Word Origin for iron

Medical definitions for strike while the iron is hot

n.

adj.

Scientific definitions for strike while the iron is hot

Fe

Cultural definitions for strike while the iron is hot

Idioms and Phrases with strike while the iron is hot (1 of 2)

Idioms and Phrases with strike while the iron is hot (2 of 2)

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

iron

noun

adjective

verb (used with object)

verb (used without object)

Verb Phrases

Idioms for iron

Origin of iron

OTHER WORDS FROM iron

Words nearby iron

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []) .push({}); British Dictionary definitions for strike while the iron is hot

noun

adjective

verb

Derived forms of iron

Word Origin for iron

Medical definitions for strike while the iron is hot

n.

adj.

Scientific definitions for strike while the iron is hot

Fe

Cultural definitions for strike while the iron is hot

Idioms and Phrases with strike while the iron is hot (1 of 2)

Idioms and Phrases with strike while the iron is hot (2 of 2)

British Dictionary definitions for strike while the iron is hot