iron

noun

• 1a strong, hard magnetic silvery-gray metal, the chemical element of atomic number 26, much used as a material for construction and manufacturing, especially in the form of steel. (Symbol: Fe)
• compounds of iron, especially as a component of the diet:serve liver as it’s a good source of iron [as modifier]:how are your iron levels?
• used figuratively as a symbol or type of firmness, strength, or resistance:her father had a will of iron [as modifier]:the iron grip of religion on minority cultures

Iron is widely distributed as ores such as hematite, magnetite, and siderite, and the earth’s core is believed to consist largely of metallic iron and nickel. Besides steel, other important forms of the metal are cast iron and wrought iron. Chemically a transition element, iron is a constituent of some biological molecules, notably hemoglobin

• 2a tool or implement now or originally made of iron:a caulking iron
• (irons) fetters or handcuffs.
• informal a handgun.

• 3a handheld implement with a flat steel base that is heated (typically with electricity) to smooth clothes, sheets, etc..

• 4a golf club with a metal head (typically with a numeral indicating the degree to which the head is angled in order to loft the ball).

• 5 Astronomy (also iron meteorite) a meteorite containing a high proportion of iron.

verb

• smooth (clothes, sheets, etc.) with an iron.