iron
iron — noun
1. a grey metal found in rocks and soil throughout the world. When combined with ca
a grey metal found in rocks and soil throughout the world. When combined with carbon, it creates steel — a material used in everything from buildings to vehicles to everyday tools.
The bridge is made of strong iron that can support heavy trucks.
collocation: made of iron
Iron ore is taken from mines and turned into steel in large factories.
collocation: iron ore
Reema learned that iron is one of the most common elements on Earth.
The old gate was built from iron and had lasted for over a hundred years.
passive: built from iron
- made of iron
- cast iron
- wrought iron
- iron ore
- iron and steel
- scrap iron
Grammar Patterns
uncountable noun
Usage Note
Uncountable — do not say 'an iron' when referring to the metal. 'An iron' means the tool for clothes (sense 3) or a golf club (sense 4).
Common Mistakes
2. a dietary mineral that the body uses to make haemoglobin, the protein that moves
a dietary mineral that the body uses to make haemoglobin, the protein that moves oxygen through the bloodstream. It is found naturally in foods such as red meat, spinach, and beans.
Spinach and red meat are good sources of iron for a healthy diet.
collocation: sources of iron
Caio's doctor said he needed more iron in his meals to feel less tired.
collocation: more iron
The nutrition label shows that this cereal contains ten percent of your daily iron.
People who do not get enough iron may develop a condition called anaemia.
collocation: enough iron
- iron deficiency
- iron levels
- iron-rich foods
- source of iron
- contains iron
- low iron
Grammar Patterns
uncountable noun
Usage Note
Uncountable in this sense. 'An iron' never means a dose or type of this nutrient. Use 'iron' alone or with quantity phrases like 'a source of iron'.
3. an electrical household tool with a heated metal plate on the bottom that you sl
an electrical household tool with a heated metal plate on the bottom that you slide over clothes to press out wrinkles.
Maeve turned off the iron after finishing her shirts for the week.
collocation: turned off the iron
This steam iron works best when you use it on cotton fabric.
collocation: steam iron
Lien bought a new iron that shuts off automatically if left alone.
Salma plugged in the iron and waited a few minutes for it to heat up.
collocation: plugged in the iron
- steam iron
- travel iron
- cordless iron
- plug in the iron
- turn off the iron
Grammar Patterns
countable noun
Usage Note
Countable — 'an iron' and 'irons' work normally. Distinguish from sense 1 (the metal), which is uncountable.
Common Mistakes
4. a golf club with a slanted metal head, designed for striking the ball at medium
a golf club with a slanted metal head, designed for striking the ball at medium range and guiding it toward the green.
Christopher chose a seven-iron to hit the ball onto the green.
collocation: seven-iron
Folake practised with her five-iron at the driving range all morning.
collocation: five-iron
The golfer's bag contained three woods and eight irons of different sizes.
plural: eight irons
Aaron took a swing with his nine-iron and landed the ball near the hole.
- five-iron
- seven-iron
- nine-iron
- set of irons
- hit with an iron
- club
the general term for any golf club including woods, irons, and putters
Grammar Patterns
countable noun
Usage Note
Irons are numbered by their angle — a lower number (e.g. 3-iron) hits the ball farther but with a lower arc; a higher number (e.g. 9-iron) gives a shorter but higher shot.
5. a metal implement that is forged from iron, often heated for purposes such as br
a metal implement that is forged from iron, often heated for purposes such as branding livestock or shaping materials.
The rancher used a branding iron to mark the calves with his ranch symbol.
collocation: branding iron
The museum displays a branding iron that farmers used over a century ago.
collocation: branding iron
The electrician used a hot soldering iron to fix the broken circuit in the computer.
collocation: soldering iron
The craftsman used a long iron to stir the burning coals in the forge.
- branding iron
- hot iron
- curling iron
- soldering iron
- tool
a broader, more common term for any instrument used for work
Grammar Patterns
countable noun
Usage Note
This sense is rarer in modern everyday English but still common in historical or craft contexts like blacksmithing.
6. heavy metal chains wrapped around a prisoner's arms or legs to stop them from mo
heavy metal chains wrapped around a prisoner's arms or legs to stop them from moving or running away.
The prisoners were led into the court with heavy irons around their legs.
collocation: heavy irons
In the film, the captured soldiers were clapped in irons and locked in a cell.
collocation: clapped in irons
The historical museum shows the rusty irons that were once used on prisoners.
The guard unlocked the irons so the prisoner could walk more freely.
collocation: unlocked the irons
- clapped in irons
- heavy irons
- rusty irons
- put in irons
- unlock the irons
Grammar Patterns
always plural: irons
Usage Note
Always used in the plural form 'irons'. Never 'an iron' for this sense. This usage is mainly historical or literary.
Common Mistakes
to be involved in several different activities or projects at the same time, hoping that at least one will succeed.
The entrepreneur has many irons in the fire — she is writing a book, starting a business, and teaching a class.
With three job interviews lined up, the graduate has plenty of irons in the fire this month.
pump iron
idiomto lift weights as a form of exercise in order to build stronger muscles.
The rugby team goes to the gym every morning to pump iron with their coach.
The trainer told the players that pumping iron would make them stronger on the field.
to take immediate advantage of an opportunity before conditions change.
The manager decided to strike while the iron was hot and offered the deal that same day.
When the client showed interest, the sales rep struck while the iron was hot and sent the contract.
to control people in a very strict and severe way, without allowing any disagreement.
The general ruled the country with an iron hand for over twenty years.
The head teacher ruled the school with an iron fist, and the students were afraid to break any rules.
To be involved in many different activities or projects at once, hoping one will succeed.
Maya has several irons in the fire, including a new job and a side business.
With three irons in the fire, Diego felt confident about his future.
To control someone or a group very strictly and harshly.
The principal ruled the school with a rod of iron, allowing no disobedience.
Did General Lee really rule his troops with a rod of iron?
iron — verb
1. to press clothing or fabric using a hot tool in order to make the surface smooth
to press clothing or fabric using a hot tool in order to make the surface smooth and remove wrinkles.
Élise irons her work shirts every Sunday evening before the new week starts.
transitive: irons + object
Rin quickly ironed the creases out of her cotton dress before the party.
collocation: ironed out creases
The hotel staff will iron your suit for a small extra charge.
This shirt needs to be ironed while it is still slightly damp.
passive: needs to be ironed
My grandmother taught me how to iron when I was twelve years old.
intransitive: teach someone to iron
- iron a shirt
- iron trousers
- iron out creases
- needs ironing
- freshly ironed
- press
more formal; often used by dry cleaners or in professional settings
Grammar Patterns
iron + object (clothes, shirt)
iron (no object)
iron + adverb
Usage Note
Can be used transitively ('iron a shirt') or intransitively ('I need to iron'). The phrasal verb 'iron out' has a separate, figurative meaning — see phrasal verbs.
Common Mistakes
iron out
phrasal verbto solve or remove a problem, difficulty, or disagreement through discussion and effort.
The two teams met to iron out the remaining issues in the contract before signing.
We still need to iron out a few small problems with the software before we launch it.
iron — adjective
1. having or showing great physical or mental strength that cannot be easily change
having or showing great physical or mental strength that cannot be easily changed or weakened — for example, an iron will that keeps someone going through difficulties, or an iron grip that holds something very tightly.
The team showed an iron determination to win the championship this season.
collocation: iron determination
Saira's iron will helped her recover from a serious injury and return to running.
collocation: iron will
The old woman kept an iron grip on her bag at the crowded station.
collocation: iron grip
The athlete's iron discipline meant she never missed a single training session all year.
collocation: iron discipline
The company founder was a man of iron will who built the business from scratch.
attributive: man of iron will
- iron will
- iron discipline
- iron determination
- iron grip
- iron fist
- iron hand
- steely
similar meaning but slightly more literary; 'steely resolve'
- firm
less intense; can stand alone as a predicate adjective ('He is firm')
- unyielding
more formal and less common in everyday speech
Grammar Patterns
iron + noun (determination, will, grip, discipline)
Usage Note
Almost always used in fixed or semi-fixed collocations — common ones include 'iron will', 'iron discipline', 'iron determination', 'iron grip', and 'iron fist'. It does not usually stand alone ('He is iron').
Common Mistakes
Word family
- ironingnounB1
- ironmongernounC1
- ironworknounC1
- ironcladadjectiveC2
Synonym discussion
Sense: noun/1
Iron is a pure chemical element, a grey metal that is the basis for making steel. The key difference learners need to know: steel is an alloy made by mixing iron with carbon, which makes it harder and stronger than pure iron. The word 'metal' is a broad category that includes iron, steel, aluminium, copper, and many others — so steel is a type of metal, and iron is a type of metal, but they are not the same thing. An 'alloy' is a mixture of two or more metals, so steel is one specific alloy made from iron. In everyday language, people say 'an iron gate' for a gate made of the pure metal iron, but 'a steel bridge' for a structure made of the stronger alloy. When you are unsure which word fits, 'metal' is the safest general choice.
Common collocations
Etymology
Iron has been known to humans since prehistoric times. The word comes from Old English 'īsern', which later changed to 'īren' in Middle English. It can be traced back through Proto-Germanic 'īsarną' to Celtic origins, likely related to a word meaning 'strong' or 'holy'. The metal's name spread across Europe along with ironworking technology. The adjective sense meaning 'very strong' developed as a metaphor from the metal's toughness.