Definition

Noun 1. The chemical element Iron: A heavy, ductile, magnetic metallic element with the symbol Fe and atomic number 26. In its pure form, it is silver-white but readily oxidizes (rusts). It is a crucial material used widely in construction, tools, and machinery, and it plays an essential biological role, particularly in the transport of oxygen in the blood.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The chemical symbol for iron is Fe.
  • Hemoglobin contains Fe, which binds to oxygen molecules.
  • Steel is an alloy primarily composed of Fe and carbon.

Advanced Usage

• In scientific and technical contexts, Fe is the standard symbol used in chemistry, metallurgy, and biology to denote the element iron, avoiding the ambiguity of the common word.
  • The mineral's composition was listed as SiO₂ and Fe₂O₃.

Variants and Related Words

• Iron (n): The common English name for the element Fe.
• Ferrous (adj): Relating to or containing iron, especially with a valence of +2.
  • Ferrous metals are magnetic.
• Ferric (adj): Relating to or containing iron, especially with a valence of +3.
  • Ferric oxide is another name for rust.

Synonyms

• Iron (the common term, not the symbol)

Notes

• Fe is not typically used in everyday conversation. It is a specialized term (a chemical symbol) used in academic, scientific, industrial, and medical writing. In most general contexts, the word "iron" is used instead.

Noun

1. a heavy ductile magnetic metallic element; is silver-white in pure form but readily rusts; used in construction and tools and armament; plays a role in the transport of oxygen by the blood