IPA

1 of 3

noun (1)

ˌī-(ˌ)pē-ˈā 

plural IPAs

: a pale ale made with extra hops : india pale ale

American beers, especially IPAs, are still quite hoppy …

—Lauren Buzzeo

IPA

2 of 3

noun (2)

ˌī-(ˌ)pē-ˈā 

: an alphabet designed to represent each human speech sound with a unique symbol

IPA

3 of 3

abbreviation

individual practice association

Examples of IPA in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The cost of deploying 3 gigawatts of batteries on the grid by 2031 would add 58 to 68 cents per month to the average residential bill for Ameren customers in mostly downstate Illinois and 40 to 48 cents for Commonwealth Edison customers in the Chicago region, according to the IPA analysis. —Jeremy Gorner, Chicago Tribune, 9 Jan. 2026

Malt has almost as much variation in its varieties and flavors as hops, and there’s an entire world of different beer flavors waiting to be found all over again by beer drinkers looking for something beyond another IPA. —Jay R. Brooks, Mercury News, 9 Jan. 2026

Keeping popular brews — such as Neon Kittens, a citrus IPA, or its Haus Bier German pilsner — on tap is important, along with revising the draft menu with the seasons. —Janice Phelan, Kansas City Star, 8 Jan. 2026

Discover local brands like Cornucopia popcorn, Siete tortilla chips, refreshing Bawi agua fresca, and McConauHaze IPA courtesy of Austin brewery Twisted X in partnership with local celebrity resident, Matthew McConaughey. —Kathryn Streeter, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

India Pale Ale

Noun (2)

International Phonetic Alphabet

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1893, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1933, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

IPA

abbreviation

independent practice association; individual practice association

Note: An independent practice association is made up of a group of physicians in private practice who join in an association that contracts with a managed health care plan (as an HMO) to provide medical services to patients enrolled in the plan.