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

Rather than fully repealing provisions that have been established and generated business activity under the IRA, the new megabill puts fresh constraints on the sector. —Jenni Reid, CNBC, 3 July 2025

Setting aside money in emergency funds and online IRA accounts, for example, helps cushion financial hardship during an unexpected loss of income. —Ethan Stone, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025

Century has previously praised the IRA's advanced manufacturing production tax credit for its benefits to U.S. aluminum producers. —Connor Giffin, The Courier-Journal, 2 July 2025

This was never the intention of the initial ITC proposal enacted in the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). —Chris Hopper, Fortune, 24 June 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