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

Terpenes are the aromatic compounds in cannabis, bringing piney, almost dank, notes, as if it had been hopped like an IPA. — Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 21 July 2026

Drawing inspiration from the classic old fashioned cocktail, this fruit-forward IPA delivers familiar flavors in a delightfully different form. — Jess Fleming, Twin Cities, 21 July 2026

In February 2026, the airline introduced Athletic Brewing’s Free Wave Hazy IPA as its first nonalcoholic beer served inflight. — Noel Burgess, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026

Alarmist Brewing, best known for its flagship Le Jus, an award-winning Hazy IPA, closed the doors on its 12-year-old Peterson Avenue brewery and taproom in February amid a flat post-pandemic craft beer market. — Robert Channick, Chicago Tribune, 9 July 2026

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.