iron
n. · v. · adj.-
1 the metal (n.) A2 Elementary Sciencea strong, heavy, grey metal that is used to make steel and is attracted by magnets.
a silvery-grey metallic element (Fe) used extensively in structural engineering and manufacturing; uncountable when referring to the material.
ExampleThe old gate was made of heavy iron and had started to rust.
ExampleThe industrial revolution was driven by the mass production of iron, which allowed for the construction of stronger bridges and machinery.
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2 clothing tool (n.) A2 Elementaryan electric tool with a flat, hot bottom that you use to make clothes smooth.
a household appliance with a heated flat surface used to remove wrinkles from fabric.
ExampleI need to buy a new iron because my old one is leaking water.
ExampleShe left the iron face-down on the board, resulting in a scorched triangular mark on her silk blouse.
- flatiron
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3 golf club (n.) B2 Upper Intermediate Sporta type of golf club with a metal head, used for hitting the ball middle distances.
a category of golf clubs with a blade-like metal head, numbered 1 through 9 to indicate loft and distance.
ExampleHe chose a seven iron to reach the green from the fairway.
ExampleThe professional golfer opted for a long iron rather than a hybrid, trusting his ability to control the ball's flight in the heavy wind.
- wood
- putter
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4 shackles (n.) B2 Upper Intermediate Literary Lawchains or metal bands used to tie a prisoner's hands or feet together.
metal fetters or shackles used to restrain a prisoner; almost always used in the plural form.
ExampleThe prisoner was led away in irons after the trial ended.
ExampleThe historical drama depicted the captives held in heavy irons in the damp hold of the ship.
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5 gym weights (n.) C1 Advanced Slang Informal Sportheavy metal weights used for exercise and building muscle.
a collective term for weights used in resistance training or bodybuilding.
ExampleHe spends every morning at the gym pumping iron to get stronger.
ExampleThe veteran bodybuilder spent decades lifting iron, developing a physique that won him numerous national titles.
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6 to smooth clothes (v.) A2 Elementaryto use a hot tool to remove wrinkles from clothes.
to press fabric with a heated appliance to remove creases; can be used transitively with an object or intransitively.
ExampleCould you iron this shirt for me before the party starts?
ExampleHe spent the evening ironing his suits for the upcoming week of interviews, ensuring every sleeve was perfectly creased.
- wrinkle
- crumple
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7 strong or tough (adj.) B2 Upper Intermediatevery strong and not willing to change your mind.
metaphorically strong, inflexible, or determined; often used to describe will or discipline.
ExampleThe manager ruled the office with an iron will and never accepted excuses.
ExampleHer iron discipline allowed her to complete the marathon despite the intense heat and a minor leg injury.
From Middle English iren, from Old English īsern, īsærn, īren, īsen, from Proto-West Germanic īsarn, from Proto-Germanic īsarną (“iron”), from Proto-Celtic īsarnom (“iron”), possibly a derivation from Proto-Indo-European h₁ésh₂r̥ (“blood”). Cognates Cognate with Scots airn, ern (“iron”), Yola eeren (“iron”), Saterland Frisian Iersen (“iron”), West Frisian izer (“iron”), Bavarian Eisn (“iron”), Cimbrian aizarn (“iron”), Dutch ijzer (“iron”), German, Luxembourgish Eisen (“iron”), German Low German Isen (“iron”), Limburgish iezer (“iron”), Mòcheno aisn (“iron”), Vilamovian ȧjza (“iron”), West Flemish yzer (“iron”), Yiddish אײַזן (ayzn, “iron”), Danish jern, jærn (“iron”), Faroese jarn (“iron”), Icelandic járn (“iron”), Jamtish járn, jáðn (“iron”), Norwegian Bokmål jern (“iron”), Norwegian Nynorsk jarn, jern, jønn (“iron”), Swedish jern, jaͤrn, järn (“iron”), Gothic 𐌴𐌹𐍃𐌰𐍂𐌽 (eisarn, “iron”).