iron

iron

I

i‧ron¹ S2 W3 /ˈaɪən $ ˈaɪərn/ noun1.  METAL  [uncountable] a common hard metal that is used to make steel, is magnetic, and is found in very small quantities in food and blood. It is a chemical element: symbol Fe:
    the iron and steel industry
    a driveway with large iron gates
    iron ore (=rock that contains iron)
    the absorption of iron from food ⇨ wrought iron, cast iron
2.
   FOR CLOTHES .nbsp;[countable] a thing used for making clothes smooth, which has a heated flat metal base
3. have several irons in the fire to be involved in several different activities or have several plans all happening at the same time:
    He has several economic irons in the fire, including gold and diamond mines.
4.
   SPORT .nbsp;[countable] a golf club made of metal rather than wood:
    a 5-iron
5.  CHAINS irons [plural] especially literary a chain used to prevent a prisoner from moving:
    leg irons
⇨ a will of iron/an iron will at will²(1), ⇨ pump iron at pump²(8), ⇨ rule somebody/something with a rod of iron at rule²(5), ⇨ strike while the iron’s hot at strike¹(27)

II

iron² S3 verb [transitive]
to make clothes smooth using an iron
   SYN  press:
    Have you ironed my shirt?
⇨ ironing
     
iron something ↔ out phrasal verb
  to solve or get rid of problems or difficulties, especially small ones:
    We need to iron out a few problems first.

III

iron³ adjective [only before noun]
very firm and strong or determined:
    He runs the company with an iron fist.