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

Offering everything from their popular Mustang Oil (a 7.6% chocolate milk stout) to their flagship Faith Healer session IPA, make time to relax and sip while on site. —Jennifer Prince, Southern Living, 28 June 2025

On the beer front, standouts include Skyscraper IPA, a sessionable brew created by Brooklyn’s Grimm Artisanal Ales just for the lounge, plus offerings from local favorite Talea Beer Co. —Paul Rubio, AFAR Media, 23 June 2025

In 2024, 17% of complaint allegations submitted, which may include more than one allegation within a single complaint, were fully vetted by year’s end and deemed sustained, or validated by the IPA’s office. —Robert Salonga, Mercury News, 22 June 2025

Bright tangerine and berry flavors enhance this crystal-clear IPA, courtesy of Superdelic hops from New Zealand. —Peter Rowe, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 June 2025

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.