IP
1 of 2abbreviation 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
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
Scott MendelsonShould 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
Stephen Lambrechts1
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
Mark FischettiExamples of IP in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 25 July 2025
No one thinks about TCP/IP standards when reading email, although email relies on these standards in every message that is sent or received.
—Gabriel René, IEEE Spectrum, 24 July 2025
The next show from the mega partnership that has brought The Traitors and Destination X to the world will be original British IP, the BBC and NBCUniversal have said.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 23 July 2025
We, in collaboration with our partners, store and/or access information on a user's device, including but not limited to IP addresses, unique identifiers, and browsing data stored in cookies, in order to process personal data.
—Matthew Strauss, Pitchfork, 22 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for IP
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.
Abbreviation or noun
Investors look for startups that can also sustain competitive advantage through unique IP, network effects or deep industry insight.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 25 July 2025
No one thinks about TCP/IP standards when reading email, although email relies on these standards in every message that is sent or received.
—Gabriel René, IEEE Spectrum, 24 July 2025
The next show from the mega partnership that has brought The Traitors and Destination X to the world will be original British IP, the BBC and NBCUniversal have said.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 23 July 2025
We, in collaboration with our partners, store and/or access information on a user's device, including but not limited to IP addresses, unique identifiers, and browsing data stored in cookies, in order to process personal data.
—Matthew Strauss, Pitchfork, 22 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for IP
Cite this Entry
“IP.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/IP. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share