Iron is an element which usually takes the form of a hard, dark grey metal. It is used to make steel, and also forms part of many tools, buildings, and vehicles. Very small amounts of iron occur in your blood and in food.

An iron is an electrical device with a flat metal base. You heat it until the base is hot, then rub it over clothes to remove creases.

If you iron clothes, you remove the creases from them using an iron.

You can use iron to describe the character or behaviour of someone who is very firm in their decisions and actions, or who can control their feelings well.

Iron is used in expressions such as an iron hand and iron discipline to describe strong, harsh, or unfair methods of control which do not allow people much freedom.

If someone has a lot of irons in the fire, they are involved in several different activities or have several different plans.

If someone pumps iron, they exercise by lifting weights using special machines.