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

Even one of the winning beers below isn’t billed as a New Zealand IPA. —Erik Ofgang, Forbes, 3 Nov. 2024

Our thought bubbles: The Honest Weight is a solid, rich IPA but the Topanga was both our favorites — a little lighter, which is nice for a 3pm work meeting, but it's still got some hops. —Arika Herron, Axios, 30 Oct. 2024

Holland and his collaborator, longtime beverage marketer John Herman, created three Bero drinks: Kingston Golden Pils, Edge Hill Hazy IPA and Noon Wheat. —Ingrid Vasquez, People.com, 25 Oct. 2024

Wines and beers such as Voodoo Ranger Atomic Pumpkin ale and Bell's Two Hearted IPA will also be available. —Susan Selasky, Detroit Free Press, 24 Oct. 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.