IP

1 of 2

abbreviation or noun

ˈī-ˈpē 

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 1b)

Every computer, modem, server and smartphone that connects to the Internet has a unique Internet protocol (IP) address, which enables users to find it.

—Mark Fischetti

see also ip address

Examples of IP in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Abbreviation or noun

But as the team sat as guests in the mezzanine section during the film’s premiere at the Cannes Film Festival, the group realized there could be more opportunities in being directly involved in production, rather than just licensing their IP. — Samantha Masunaga, Los Angeles Times, 10 Nov. 2026

Portnoy offered the co-hosts a deal that included $500,000 annual salaries, a larger cut of merchandise revenue and full ownership of the podcast’s IP after one more year at Barstool. — Anna Tingley, Variety, 10 Nov. 2026

Protecting and further developing IP is another recurring theme across the Tallinn market program. — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 10 Nov. 2026

In the deal, Barstool acquired the Call Her Daddy IP, including the name and its social media accounts. — Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 10 Nov. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Abbreviation Or Noun

1979, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for IP

• blip
• chip
• clip
• dip
• drip
• flip
• grip
• grippe
• hip
• kip
• lip
• nip

Medical Definition

IP

abbreviation

intraperitoneal; intraperitoneally

Legal Definition

IP

abbreviation

intellectual property