ironclad

1 of 2

adjective

iron·​clad ˈī(-ə)rn-ˈklad 

1

: sheathed in iron armor

—used especially of naval vessels

2

: so firm or secure as to be unbreakable: such as

a

: binding

an ironclad oath

b

: having no obvious weakness

an ironclad case against the defendant

ironclad

2 of 2

noun

iron·​clad ˈī(-ə)rn-ˌklad 

: an armored naval vessel especially of the mid to late 19th century

Examples of ironclad in a Sentence

Adjective

The company has an ironclad policy against revealing secrets to competitors.

He has an ironclad alibi.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Here is an ironclad law in Rundell’s books, as in so many other good stories for kids: any absolute prohibition established by an adult will absolutely be violated by children. —Kathryn Schulz, The New Yorker, 9 Sep. 2024

Security in an accelerated Virgo/Scorpio move-in hinges on immediately establishing and enforcing some truly honest, ironclad boundaries. —Jennifer Culp, Them, 31 July 2024

Noun

Privacy rights An ironclad right to privacy for political candidates cannot be found in black and white in the Constitution. —Max Thornberry, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 14 Sep. 2024

Of course, the economy is buffeted by countless forces beyond the president's policies, so these types of projections are far from ironclad. —Courtenay Brown, Axios, 6 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

circa 1847, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1862, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

ironclad

1 of 2 adjective

iron·​clad -ˈklad 

1

: covered by iron armor

2

: rigorous sense 1, exacting

ironclad laws

ironclad

2 of 2 noun

iron·​clad -ˌklad 

: an armored naval vessel