Meaning of “iron” in the English Dictionary

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"iron" in English

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ironnoun

uk ​ /aɪən/ us ​ /aɪrn/

iron noun (METAL)

B1 symbol Fe [ U ] a chemical element that is a common greyish-coloured metal. It is strong, used in making steel, and exists in very small amounts in blood:

Iron rusts easily.
Liver is a particularly rich source of dietary iron.
iron ore
an iron deficiency

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iron noun (FOR CLOTHES)

B1 [ C ] a piece of equipment for making clothes flat and smooth that has a handle and a flat base and is usually heated with electricity:

a steam iron
a travel iron

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iron noun (GOLF)

› [ C ] a stick that has an iron or steel part at the end that is used to hit the ball in golf:

He'll probably use a 2 or 3 iron for the shot.

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Idiom(s)

have a few, several, etc. irons in the fire

ironverb [ I or T ]

uk ​ /aɪən/ us ​ /aɪrn/

Phrasal verb(s)

iron sth out

ironadjective [ before noun ]

uk ​ /aɪən/ us ​ /aɪrn/

› very strong physically, mentally, or emotionally:

I think you have to have an iron will to make some of these decisions.

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Idiom(s)

an iron hand/fist in a velvet glove
rule sth with an iron hand/fist

(Definition of “iron” from the Cambridge Advanced Learner’s Dictionary & Thesaurus © Cambridge University Press)

"iron" in American English

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ironnoun

us ​ /ˈɑɪ·ərn/

iron noun (METAL)

› [ U ] a common, silver-colored, metal element that is magnetic and strong, is used in making steel, and is found in small amounts in blood and in all living things:

Iron rusts easily.
Liver is a rich source of dietary iron.

iron noun (DEVICE)

› [ C ] a device with a handle and a flat metal base that can be heated and pressed against cloth to make the cloth smooth

ironverb [ T ]

us ​ /ˈɑɪ·ərn/

iron verb [ T ] (USE DEVICE)

› to make cloth smooth using an iron:

I have to iron this skirt.
[ M ] Let me iron out the wrinkles in this tablecloth.

Phrasal verb(s)

iron out something

ironadjective [ not gradable ]

us ​ /ˈɑɪ·ərn/

iron adjective [ not gradable ] (MADE OF METAL)

› made of or containing iron:

iron ore
an iron railing along the steps
fig. Her success depended on physical strength and an iron will (= strong determination).

(Definition of “iron” from the Cambridge Academic Content Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)

"iron" in Business English

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ironnoun [ U ]

uk ​ /aɪən/ us ​ NATURAL RESOURCES, PRODUCTION

› a common metal element used in making steel:

Heavy industries, like iron and steel, can take advantage of the government's increased public-works spending.

(Definition of “iron” from the Cambridge Business English Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)

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