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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Staged to look like a random mugging of a courier, the robbery was, in fact, a sophisticated heist that would ultimately involve the Provisional IRA, the New York mafia and the Colombian cartel. Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 9 Oct. 2025 For married couples filing jointly, spouses aged 70½ or older can also transfer up to $108,000 from their IRA. Kate Dore, Cfp®, Ea, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2025 In addition to the plans to provide solar panels and battery storage, the tribe was counting on tax credits from the IRA to help build an 8-megawatt microgrid — enough electricity to operate the entire reservation — and provide jobs and economic benefits to the Hopi Tribe. Nate Perez, NPR, 7 Oct. 2025 If your plan doesn't offer any affordable choices, consider opening an IRA, Roth IRA or low-cost brokerage account to complement your savings. Steve Hruby, Cincinnati Enquirer, 29 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for IRA

Word History

Etymology

Noun

initialism from individual retirement account or individual retirement arrangement

First Known Use

Noun

1974, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of IRA was in 1974

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Cite this Entry

“IRA.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/IRA. Accessed 15 Oct. 2025.

Legal Definition

: 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

More from Merriam-Webster on IRA

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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