Iron Horse Definition & Meaning

American

British

Etymology

Examples

Related Words

Synonyms iron horse American

noun

Older Use.

1. a locomotive.

iron horse British

noun

1. archaic a steam-driven railway locomotive

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of iron horse

First recorded in 1825–35

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

She pointed to an iron horse on an utility box, quickly adding the direction of the face and handle may someday need to be changed.

From Los Angeles Times

She points to an iron horse on an utility box, quickly adding the direction of the face and handle may someday need to be changed.

From Los Angeles Times

The lung, which he called his "old iron horse", allowed him to breathe.

From BBC

“We are always near our ‘iron horses,’” said Ivan, the pilot, who is back on duty but not flying until he fully heals.

From New York Times

Since the 1950s, America’s once great “iron horse” has suffered under the exhaust fumes of the four-wheeler.

From The Guardian

Related Words

• engine

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.