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

Use the Mega Backdoor Roth to Boost Tax-Free Savings If your 401(k) plan allows after-tax contributions and in-plan Roth conversions or rollovers to a Roth IRA, consider using the Mega Backdoor Roth strategy. —Malana Vantyler, USA Today, 20 May 2025

For high-income earners, the backdoor Roth IRA strategy offers an alternative, enabling contributions through a Traditional IRA followed by a Roth conversion. —Matthew F. Erskine, Forbes.com, 19 May 2025

Heat’s Larsson has big offseason plans ASK IRA: Will Andrew Wiggins merely prove to be a Heat rental? —Steve Svekis, Sun Sentinel, 18 May 2025

As Republicans look to broker a sweeping budget deal, top GOP leadership in the House of Representatives unveiled a series of cuts this week to the provisions of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) aimed at tackling climate change. —Justin Worland, Time, 16 May 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