plural IPOs
: an initial public offering of a company's stock

Examples of IPO in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
The stock fell below its June IPO price after a second-quarter loss, largely due to one-time issues, masking its growth potential. — Harvey Stober, CNBC, 2 Oct. 2026 Given the complexities involved, donors and advisers should begin planning well before an IPO. — Joe Crome, Forbes.com, 1 Oct. 2026 The day of the June 12 SpaceX IPO, Meyer emailed his investors in his SpaceX funds, including the one that had lost its stake. — Amanda Gerut, Fortune, 1 Oct. 2026 The Financial Times reports that nearly a quarter of its revenue in 2025 came from just two clients, which is a precarious situation for any company, let alone one trying to tempt prospective investors into a $2 trillion IPO. — Jess Weatherbed, The Verge, 29 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for IPO

Word History

Etymology

initial public offering

First Known Use

1976, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of IPO was in 1976

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“IPO.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/IPO. Accessed 7 Oct. 2026.

Legal Definition

: an initial public offering of a company's stock
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster