IRA

1 of 2

noun

ˌī-(ˌ)är-ˈā  ˈī-rə 

plural IRAs

: a retirement savings account in which income taxes on certain deposits and on all gains are deferred until withdrawals are made

IRA

2 of 2

abbreviation

Irish Republican Army

Examples of IRA in a Sentence

Abbreviation

a representative of the IRA

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

In a recent case, an IRA owner was hit with a penalty by the IRS because the custodian had the wrong birth date for the customer in its records and computed the wrong RMD amount. — Bob Carlson, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026

The choice between a gold IRA and physical ownership depends on your goals for long-term savings versus immediate control. — USA Today, 28 July 2026

Petticrew broke out stateside by playing IRA activist Dolours Price, a woman whose understandable aggrievement led her to harm innocent civilians as well as herself. — Alison Herman, Variety, 27 July 2026

Or up to $35,000 in excess 529 plan funds can be converted over a few years into a Roth IRA on a tax-free basis. — Terry Savage, Chicago Tribune, 26 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

initialism from individual retirement account or individual retirement arrangement

First Known Use

Noun

1974, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for IRA

• lyra
• spirogyra

Legal Definition

IRA

noun

ˌī-ˌär-ˈā, ˈī-rə 

: an account in which a person may deposit up to a stipulated amount each year and that is not taxable until retirement or early withdrawal

Note: Deposits to an IRA may not be completely or partially deductible from adjusted gross income if one's income exceeds a set level.

Etymology

Noun

individual retirement account