IP

1 of 2

abbreviation or noun

plural IPs also IP's
: intellectual property
They are racing to protect their own nanotechnology intellectual property (IP) or to license or buy it from universities, companies, or other groups. Nanotech IP is particularly valuable right now because it is the foundation for a young and expansive field …Susan J. Ainsworth
… Hollywood's obsession with IP has created a scenario where the movies are more expensive while the bar for success is lower.Scott Mendelson
Should Microsoft beat out other prospective buyers, it could mean that future games from IPs such as LEGO, Harry Potter, Just Cause, Batman, Mortal Kombat and more could become Xbox exclusives …Stephen Lambrechts

IP

2 of 2

abbreviation

1
initial point
2
sports innings pitched
3
intermediate pressure
4
Internet protocol (see protocol sense 3b)
Every computer, modem, server and smartphone that connects to the Internet has a unique Internet protocol (IP) address, which enables users to find it. The address format, known as IPv4, was standardized in 1977 as a 32-digit binary number, making a then seemingly unlimited 4.3 billion addresses … available.Mark Fischetti
see also ip address

Examples of IP in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Abbreviation or noun
Free of the restrictions of their previous IP work with franchises like Game of Thrones and The Walking Dead, AdHoc can begin showing audiences what their house style and sensibilities look like. Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 22 Oct. 2025 Federated Learning of Cohorts (FLoC), Attribution Reporting API, IP Protection, Private Aggregation, and several other initiatives under Privacy Sandbox are being retired because of low adoption and unresolved technical challenges. James Bickerton, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025 As the comedy industry evolves, the company has been steered by a management model with an IP development arm that goes beyond traditional representation, creating pathways for talent to grow as multi-hyphenate creators, performers and business owners. Matt Grobar, Deadline, 21 Oct. 2025 Forget comic books or video games, the untapped future of IP mining is clearly in board games. Brian Welk, IndieWire, 21 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for IP

Word History

First Known Use

Abbreviation Or Noun

1979, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of IP was in 1979

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“IP.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/IP. Accessed 23 Oct. 2025.

Medical Definition

IP

abbreviation
intraperitoneal; intraperitoneally

Legal Definition

IP

abbreviation
intellectual property
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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