the Iron Curtain
noun
: the political and military barrier in the past that separated the communist countries of Europe from the rest of Europe
a spy novel that takes place behind the Iron Curtain
Examples of the Iron Curtain in a Sentence
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In June 1960, an emissary from the Soviet ballet world argued in The Atlantic that dance could still flourish behind the Iron Curtain.
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Sara Krolewski, The Atlantic, 5 Feb. 2026
The group was a frequent presence not only on radio but television variety shows and international concert stages that included a 1973 State Department cultural tour taking American pop music behind the Iron Curtain.
—Greg Evans, Deadline, 4 Feb. 2026
Not long ago in the sweep of history, countries that had once been buried behind the Iron Curtain, and even some Soviet republics, were transformed into members of the solidly democratic club.
—Stephen Kotkin, Foreign Affairs, 16 Dec. 2025
These two jumps perfectly capture the cultural time gap that once separated the two sides of the Iron Curtain.
—Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 8 Nov. 2025
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Sara Krolewski, The Atlantic, 5 Feb. 2026
The group was a frequent presence not only on radio but television variety shows and international concert stages that included a 1973 State Department cultural tour taking American pop music behind the Iron Curtain.
—Greg Evans, Deadline, 4 Feb. 2026
Not long ago in the sweep of history, countries that had once been buried behind the Iron Curtain, and even some Soviet republics, were transformed into members of the solidly democratic club.
—Stephen Kotkin, Foreign Affairs, 16 Dec. 2025
These two jumps perfectly capture the cultural time gap that once separated the two sides of the Iron Curtain.
—Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 8 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for the Iron Curtain
Cite this Entry
“The Iron Curtain.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20Iron%20Curtain. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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