What's the word for this part of an iron?

This is the part of an iron that I want to know the word for


According to this it is called the sole plate:

The sole plate, or base, of the iron is flat and roughly triangular in shape. The modern metal of choice for sole plates is aluminum coated with a non-stick material. The sole plate, which is heated and applied to wrinkled clothing, allows a user to concentrate on small areas that need extra attention.

Merriam Webster agrees. The Oxford English Dictionary adds that it was first used in 1744.

  • 4
    I was thinking to a longer word: the-part-you-should-not-touch.
    – apaderno
    Sep 9 '11 at 18:21
  • 1
    @kiamla: Also known as the owee-plate
    – simchona
    Sep 9 '11 at 18:23
  • 4
    @kiamlaluno -- my mom always called it the-part-you-should-not-touch- again .
    – Malvolio
    Sep 9 '11 at 22:06

Sometimes, it is referred to as the "flat" of the iron (although both "sole plate" and "face" are more common).


I would also understand this as the face of the iron.

It's hard to find evidence of whether this is an accepted usage or not, but a quick Google search does show some instances of the term being applied to this kind of iron.

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