| English Dictionary |
IRONCLAD
| Pronunciation (US): |  | (GB): | |
| IPA (US): |  |
Dictionary entry overview: What does ironclad mean?
• IRONCLAD (noun)
The noun IRONCLAD has 1 sense:
1. a wooden warship of the 19th century that is plated with iron or steel armor
Familiarity information: IRONCLAD used as a noun is very rare.
• IRONCLAD (adjective)
The adjective IRONCLAD has 2 senses:
1. sheathed in iron plates for protection
2. inflexibly entrenched and unchangeable
Familiarity information: IRONCLAD used as an adjective is rare.
Dictionary entry details
Sense 1
Meaning:
A wooden warship of the 19th century that is plated with iron or steel armor
Classified under:
Nouns denoting man-made objects
Hypernyms ("ironclad" is a kind of...):
combat ship; war vessel; warship (a government ship that is available for waging war)
Sense 1
Meaning:
Sheathed in iron plates for protection
Similar:
sheathed (enclosed in a protective covering; sometimes used in combination)
Sense 2
Meaning:
Inflexibly entrenched and unchangeable
Synonyms:
brassbound; ironclad
Context example:
an ironclad rule
Similar:
inflexible (incapable of change)
| Learn English with... Proverbs |
"The sun cannot be hidden by two fingers." (Afghanistan proverb)
"Heard the question wrong, answered wrong." (Arabic proverb)
"Still waters wash out banks." (Czech proverb)