noun
a strong, hard metal found in rocks and used to make steel and many objects
The old gate is made of iron.
Iron is used to make steel.
Common phrases & grammar
iron ore · cast iron · iron bar · iron deficiency
be made of iron
iron + noun
American English
How to pronounce iron
noun · verbB1Common word
AIern
/ˈaɪ.ɚn/
2 syllables · Stress the first syllable.
a strong, hard metal found in rocks and used to make steel and many objects
What to listen for
“Iron” is usually pronounced /ˈaɪ.ɚn/, but you may also hear the shorter one-syllable form /aɪɹn/.
Usual pronunciation/ˈaɪ.ɚn/
Shorter pronunciation/aɪɹn/
Meanings & examples
noun
a small electrical appliance with a hot, flat surface, used to make clothes smooth
I need an iron for this shirt.
Please unplug the iron.
Common phrases & grammar
steam iron · electric iron · hot iron
use an iron to + verb
turn on the iron
verb
to press clothes with a hot, flat appliance so they become smooth
I iron my work shirts on Sunday.
She ironed the dress before the wedding.
Common phrases & grammar
iron clothes · iron a shirt · iron a dress
iron something before + event
iron something for + person
Useful expressions
to solve a problem or disagreement
We need to iron out the final details.
Related words & forms
Iron is usually not plural when it means the metal. For the appliance, say an iron or two irons.