Definition

1. Noun:

   • A heavy metallic element (Fe): A strong, magnetic, silver-gray metal that is very common, used to make steel and found in blood.
   • A tool for smoothing clothes: A household appliance with a flat, heated metal base used to remove wrinkles from fabric.
   • A type of golf club: A golf club with a metal head, typically used for shorter shots.
   • A restraint: (Often plural: irons) Chains or shackles used to bind someone.

2. Verb:

   • To press clothes: To use a heated iron to smooth wrinkles from fabric.
   • To shackle: To bind or fetter with irons.

3. Adjective:

   • Made of iron: Constructed from the metal iron.
   • Very strong or inflexible: Extremely robust, unyielding, or harsh.

Usage Examples

• Noun (Element):
  • The bridge is made of iron and steel.
  • Spinach is a good source of dietary iron.
• Noun (Tool):
  • She plugged in the iron to press her dress.
• Noun (Golf):
  • He selected a 7-iron for the approach shot.
• Noun (Restraint):
  • The prisoner's hands were bound in irons.
• Verb (Press clothes):
  • He needs to iron his shirt before the meeting.
• Verb (Shackle):
  • The captives were ironed and led away.
• Adjective (Strong):
  • She has an iron will and never gives up.

Advanced Usage

• "To have many/several irons in the fire": To be involved in many different activities or projects at the same time.
  • She's not worried about one job failing; she has several irons in the fire.
• "To rule with an iron fist/hand": To govern or control in a very strict and often cruel way.
  • The dictator ruled the country with an iron fist.

Variants and Related Words

• Ironclad (adj): Very strong and not able to be changed or argued against.
  • They had an ironclad alibi for that night.
• Ironwork (n): Objects or parts made of iron.
  • The beautiful ironwork on the balcony was over a century old.
• Ironware (n): Articles made of iron, such as tools or utensils.

Synonyms

• Noun (Element): Ferrum (scientific), metal.
• Noun (Tool): Flatiron, clothes press.
• Verb (Press): Press, smooth.
• Adjective (Strong): Unyielding, inflexible, steely, tough.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Iron out: To resolve or smooth out difficulties or problems.
  • We need to iron out the final details of the contract.

Related Idioms

• "Strike while the iron is hot": To take advantage of an opportunity immediately while conditions are favorable.
  • Interest is high now, so let's strike while the iron is hot and launch the product.
• "Pump iron": (Informal) To lift weights for exercise.
  • He spends an hour every morning pumping iron at the gym.

Verb

1. press and smooth with a heated iron
   • press your shirts
   • she stood there ironing

Noun

1. home appliance consisting of a flat metal base that is heated and used to smooth cloth
2. implement used to brand live stock
3. a golf club that has a relatively narrow metal head
4. 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

Adjective

1. extremely robust
   • an iron constitution