IRA

1 of 2

noun

ˌī-(ˌ)är-ˈā How to pronounce IRA (audio) ˈī-rə How to pronounce IRA (audio)
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
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.
Noun
The complaint claims the couple’s entire traditional IRA accounts were rolled over into the gold investments. — Christina Dugan Ramirez, FOXNews.com, 20 Oct. 2026 While homes in South Dakota are more expensive than those in Nebraska—the average value is $302,465—the cost of living is slightly lower, and there are no state taxes on Social Security benefits or on withdrawals from 401(k) or IRA accounts. — Dobrina Zhekova, Travel + Leisure, 19 Oct. 2026 Roth conversions transfer pretax or nondeductible IRA funds into a Roth IRA, which kick-starts tax-free growth. — Kate Dore, Cfp®, Ea, CNBC, 18 Oct. 2026 The measure specifically exempts pensions and most individual retirement accounts from the tax, with the exception of Roth IRA and other Roth-type accounts worth $10 million or more — a balance compiled almost exclusively by the 1%. — Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for IRA

Word History

Etymology

Noun

initialism from individual retirement account or individual retirement arrangement

First Known Use

Noun

1974, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of IRA was in 1974

Rhymes for IRA

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Browse Nearby Words

ir-
IRA
iracund
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Cite this Entry

“IRA.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/IRA. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Legal Definition

IRA

noun
ˌī-ˌär-ˈā, ˈī-rə How to pronounce IRA (audio)
: 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

More from Merriam-Webster on IRA

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about IRA

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