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.
文法句型
uncountable noun
用法筆記
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).
常見錯誤
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.
文法句型
uncountable noun
用法筆記
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.
文法句型
countable noun
用法筆記
Countable — 'an iron' and 'irons' work normally. Distinguish from sense 1 (the metal), which is uncountable.
常見錯誤
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.
Aaron took a swing with his nine-iron and landed the ball near the hole.
- club
the general term for any golf club including woods, irons, and putters
文法句型
countable noun
用法筆記
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.
The craftsman used a long iron to stir the burning coals in the forge.
- tool
a broader, more common term for any instrument used for work
文法句型
countable noun
用法筆記
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.
文法句型
always plural: irons
用法筆記
Always used in the plural form 'irons'. Never 'an iron' for this sense. This usage is mainly historical or literary.
常見錯誤
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.
My grandmother taught me how to iron when I was twelve years old.
- press
more formal; often used by dry cleaners or in professional settings
文法句型
iron + object (clothes, shirt)
iron (no object)
iron + adverb
用法筆記
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.
常見錯誤
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.
The athlete's iron discipline meant she never missed a single training session all year.
The company founder was a man of iron will who built the business from scratch.
- 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
文法句型
iron + noun (determination, will, grip, discipline)
用法筆記
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').