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

There are many ways to buy in, too, from purchasing physical gold bullion or coins to opening a gold individual retirement account (IRA) or buying gold stocks. —Aly J Yale, CBS News, 25 Nov. 2025

Similarly, the average individual retirement account (IRA) balance rose 7 percent to $137,902. —Sam Stevenson, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Nov. 2025

Year over year, 401(k) balances are up 9% at $144,400, IRA balances up 7% to $137,902 and 403(b) balances up 10% to $131,200. —Andreina Rodriguez, CNBC, 21 Nov. 2025

His income is split evenly between Social Security payments, investment returns, and required minimum IRA distributions. —Jessica Coacci, Fortune, 15 Nov. 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