Acronym for Intel Architecture. The IA-32 architecture encompasses Intel's 32 bit chips and compatibles, that range from the 386 to the Pentium III, as well as clones such as the AMD Athlon and some chips from Cyrix. (as of today). The IA-64 architecture, also known as Merced, comprises Intel's upcoming 64 bit technology, which has been delayed so many times, I wonder if it'll end up being a no show.