ISP

American  

abbreviation

1. internet service provider: a company that offers access to the internet and to email, usually for a monthly fee.

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ISP British  

abbreviation

1. internet service provider, a business providing its customers with connection to the internet and other related services

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Etymology

Origin of ISP

First recorded in 1990–95

Example Sentences

Privacy A VPN’s raison d’être: encrypting your traffic to mask your internet browsing from your ISP and prevent it from throttling your connection.

From Salon • Jun. 2, 2026

Intesa Sanpaolo ISP -1.85%decrease; red down pointing triangle posted a higher first-quarter net profit thanks to top-line growth, with its corporate and investment banking arm driving the increase.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 8, 2026

In a unanimous 9-0 ruling, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of Cox and said an ISP was liable "only if it intended that the provided service be used for infringement."

From Barron's • Mar. 25, 2026

All children will have a legal right to an ISP and their nursery, school or college will be responsible for consulting with parents and drawing them up.

From BBC • Feb. 23, 2026

An inexpensive Internet account purchased on a legitimate ISP for the the sole purpose of spewing spam.

From The Jargon File, Version 4.2.2, 20 Aug 2000 by Steele, Guy L.