adj · noun · 10 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
Pronunciation
Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.
US:Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
CMU ARPABET:AY1 ER0 N K L AE2 D
Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.
1
adj
Meaning 1
Covered with iron, steel, or (loosely) any other tough metal; armor-plated.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Examples
Unlike the average vehicle, cash delivery vans are ironclad and almost unstoppable.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: metalclad
2
adj
Meaning 2
Solid or certain; not able to be disputed or questioned; irrefutable.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: figuratively
Examples
The suspect had an ironclad alibi for his whereabouts on the night of the crime.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
3
adj
Meaning 3
Rigorous; severe; exacting.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: figuratively
Examples
an ironclad oath or pledge
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
4
adj
Meaning 4
Stubborn; inflexible.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: figuratively
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
5
noun
Meaning 5
A ship, vessel, or vehicle with a covering of iron, steel, or (loosely) any other tough metal.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
6
noun
Meaning 6
An armor-plated warship, (especially) one preceding the invention of harveyized steel.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Topics: government, military, politics, war
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
7
noun
Meaning 7
A wooden warehouse with an outer skin of corrugated metal.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
8
adjective satellite
Meaning 8
inflexibly entrenched and unchangeable
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
brassbound traditions
brassbound party loyalists
an ironclad rule
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: brassbound
Antonyms: none provided
9
adjective satellite
Meaning 9
sheathed in iron plates for protection
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
10
noun
Meaning 10
a wooden warship of the 19th century that is plated with iron or steel armor
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: warship, war vessel, combat ship
History
Etymology
Etymology tree English iron Proto-Indo-European *gley-der. Proto-Germanic *klaiþijaną Proto-West Germanic *klaiþijan Old English clǣþan Middle English clethen Middle English clad English clad English ironclad From iron + clad.
Across languages
Translations
35 source translations are retained for this English entry.
Russian:
бронено́сный
(bronenósnyj)
— covered with iron or steel armor