a multi-event sporting contest requiring stamina, esp a triathlon of long-distance swimming, cycling, and running
2.
a competitor at such an event
iron man in American English
noun
1.
a person, as a worker or athlete, of great physical endurance who can be depended upon to perform a given task or job tirelessly
2.
a machine that performs a job formerly done by hand; robot
3. slang
a dollar bill or a silver dollar
Word origin
[1610–20]This word is first recorded in the period 1610–20. Other words that entered Englishat around the same time include: integration, intonation, system, technical, vibrate
Examples of 'iron man' in a sentence
iron man
He's known for being an iron man as well as a leading banker.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
My dad is an iron man, so we were in constant competition with each other, which kept us both motivated.
The Sun (2010)
He does iron-man triathlons - that's a 2.4-mile swim, followed by a 112-mile bike ride topped off with a marathon.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
The iron men were less popular among displaced windsurfers.