1. a person of great strength, courage, or determination
Usage: often used as a nickname
2. a warship with iron or steel armor plating
Usage: historical; nautical

Examples

• The general earned the nickname Ironsides for his unwavering resolve in battle.
• Oliver Cromwell was known as Old Ironsides for his military prowess.
• The USS Constitution was famously called Old Ironsides by sailors.
• The ironclad warships were the first true ironsides of the modern navy.
• His teammates called him Ironsides because he never gave up.
• The Civil War saw the first battle between two ironsides at Hampton Roads.