IRA

1 of 2

noun

ˌī-(ˌ)är-ˈā  ˈī-rə 

plural IRAs

: a retirement savings account in which income taxes on certain deposits and on all gains are deferred until withdrawals are made

IRA

2 of 2

abbreviation

Irish Republican Army

Examples of IRA in a Sentence

Abbreviation

a representative of the IRA

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The servicemember can sock away up to $7,000 in 2025 ($8,000 for those age 50 and older) into the spouse’s IRA. —Darla Mercado, Cfp®, CNBC, 1 Apr. 2025

But with Trump’s overt hostility to all things IRA, scale-up is unlikely. —Jim Carroll, Sun Sentinel, 1 Apr. 2025

Republicans' possible targeting of a key IRA feature has led to a fierce lobbying campaign from energy developers. —Daniel Moore, Axios, 31 Mar. 2025

The portion of Biden’s IRA dedicated to handouts for environmentalist groups is already costing triple the amount that was originally budgeted. —Andrew Follett, National Review, 30 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

initialism from individual retirement account or individual retirement arrangement

First Known Use

Noun

1974, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for IRA

• lyra
• spirogyra

Legal Definition

IRA

noun

ˌī-ˌär-ˈā, ˈī-rə 

: an account in which a person may deposit up to a stipulated amount each year and that is not taxable until retirement or early withdrawal

Note: Deposits to an IRA may not be completely or partially deductible from adjusted gross income if one's income exceeds a set level.

Etymology

Noun

individual retirement account