IPA

1 of 3

noun (1)

ˌī-(ˌ)pē-ˈā 

plural IPAs

: a pale ale made with extra hops : india pale ale

American beers, especially IPAs, are still quite hoppy …

—Lauren Buzzeo

IPA

2 of 3

noun (2)

ˌī-(ˌ)pē-ˈā 

: an alphabet designed to represent each human speech sound with a unique symbol

IPA

3 of 3

abbreviation

individual practice association

Examples of IPA in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Outer Range Brewing's flagship brewery (its second location is in the Alps) is the place to get a hazy IPA with big flavor and little bite. —John Frank, Axios, 23 Dec. 2024

Known for its Two Hearted IPA, Oberon Ale, Oberon Eclipse and Hopslam Ale, the company has gained national popularity and a loyal following among beer drinkers. —Nour Rahal, Detroit Free Press, 16 Dec. 2024

Kingston Golden Pils, a fresh take on the European Pils named after Holland’s hometown; Edge Hill Hazy IPA, a New-England style hoppy named after Holland’s primary school; and Noon Wheat, a nod to Tom’s beloved schnauzer of the same name. —Tim Chan, Variety, 16 Dec. 2024

The recipes provide amateur brewers with the starter ingredients needed to make, for instance, a West Coast IPA ($46). —Ahmed Ali Akbar, Chicago Tribune, 11 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

India Pale Ale

Noun (2)

International Phonetic Alphabet

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1893, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1933, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

IPA

abbreviation

independent practice association; individual practice association

Note: An independent practice association is made up of a group of physicians in private practice who join in an association that contracts with a managed health-care plan (as an HMO) to provide medical services to patients enrolled in the plan.