FIPS means: In US government contexts, FIPS stands for Federal Information Processing Standards - a set of technical standards issued by the National Institute of Standards and Technology for use by federal. It is informal slang, fine in casual speech but not suited to formal contexts. There is no real cause for parental concern; it is descriptive vocabulary rather than risky behaviour.
FIPS
In US government contexts, FIPS stands for Federal Information Processing Standards — a set of technical standards issued by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) for use by federal agencies.
ˈfɪpsDocumented since 1990s1990sMillennialhistoricalCurrent198 viewsLast reviewed Jun 29, 2026＋ Add a definition
Seen in the wild
3 citations · last seen May 2026
Etymology timeline
Born ~1990 · 1 year of recorded useMillennial / early-internet eraSee decade cohort →
Seen in the wild
BlueskyMay 2026
Zebra DS3678-SR Ultra-Rugged Cordless 2D/1D Barcode Scanner/Linear Imager Kit, Bluetooth, FIPS, Vibration Motor, Includes Cradle, Power Supply and Heavy-Duty Shielded 7 ft USB Cable (CBA-U42-S07PAR) #zebra #1dscanner…
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BlueskyMay 2026
New article is Vintage TV Pick of the Day, where it's time to watch an episode of Chish 'n' Fips. One of British television’s more curious - and there were already a few - children’s programmes of the mid-1980s.
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BlueskyMay 2026
WinMagic Maintains FIPS 140-3 Validation, Upholding Cryptographic Excellence for 24 Years #Canada #Toronto #FIPS_140-3 #WinMagic #SecureDoc
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Definitions
Global
#1·Apr 28, 2026Global
In US government contexts, FIPS stands for Federal Information Processing Standards — a set of technical standards issued by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) for use by federal agencies. These standards cover areas like cryptography, data encoding, and security. The acronym is technical and institutional rather than slang.
The system had to be upgraded to meet the latest FIPS compliance requirements before the contract could be awarded.
Origin: Acronym for Federal Information Processing Standards; a US government technical standards designation. Editorial expansion authored on Slangora.
For parents
FIPS means: In US government contexts, FIPS stands for Federal Information Processing Standards - a set of technical standards issued by the National Institute of Standards and Technology for use by federal. It is informal slang, fine in casual speech but not suited to formal contexts. There is no real cause for parental concern; it is descriptive vocabulary rather than risky behaviour.
For ESL learners
FIPS means: In US government contexts, FIPS stands for Federal Information Processing Standards - a set of technical standards issued by the National Institute of Standards and Technology. Register: very informal, slang. Suitable only for casual conversation, chat and social media. Do not use in business, academic or news writing. Common learner mistake is using the word in a register it does not fit, or assuming a single global meaning; always check the context before producing it yourself.
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Global
#2·Apr 27, 2026Global
(government, USA): .
Heard in the wild
“Zebra DS3678-SR Ultra-Rugged Cordless 2D/1D Barcode Scanner/Linear Imager Kit, Bluetooth, FIPS, Vibration Motor, Includes Cradle, Power Supply and Heavy-Duty Shielded 7 ft USB Cable (CBA-U42-S07PAR) #zebra #1dscanner #cordless”
— Bluesky· May 2026“New article is Vintage TV Pick of the Day, where it's time to watch an episode of Chish 'n' Fips. One of British television’s more curious - and there were already a few - children’s programmes of the mid-1980s.”
— Bluesky· May 2026“WinMagic Maintains FIPS 140-3 Validation, Upholding Cryptographic Excellence for 24 Years #Canada #Toronto #FIPS_140-3 #WinMagic #SecureDoc”
— Bluesky· May 2026
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For specific readers
Why is this section here?
Slang is read by different audiences for very different reasons. The For parents view re-explains the term in plain, non-judgemental language so a caregiver can understand what their child means without needing the surrounding subculture. The For English learners view focuses on register (when it's safe to use), formal alternatives, and common mistakes — what a textbook won't teach you.
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🗺️About Regional & Other slang
Regional slang from around the English-speaking world — British, Australian, Irish, Caribbean, Nigerian, Filipino, AAVE, and the hyphenated-English dialects that make the internet sound local.
See all Regional & Other slang on Slangora.
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Semantically related
- feds53%
(US, AU, slang, government) The federal level of government, viewed as a collective group of people. Typically its law enforcement agencies and officers.
- feds51%
(US, MLE, slang) Law enforcement; cops.
- fip51%
(US, obsolete) fippenny bit.
- FERS50%
(government, US, initialism) Federal Employees Retirement System.