# MSP

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/msp
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. business technology

noun · CEFR B2 · Technical

Stands for Managed Service Provider. A company that manages another company's IT systems, like their internet, security, or computers.

For teachers: Abbreviation for Managed Service Provider. A third-party company that remotely manages a customer's IT infrastructure and end-user systems, typically under a subscription model.

- Our company hired an MSP to handle our cloud security and data backups.
- Small businesses often outsource their network administration to an MSP to avoid the overhead costs of maintaining a full-time internal IT department.

Usage: Usually functions as a countable noun; often preceded by the indefinite article 'an'.

### 2. Scottish politics

noun · CEFR B2 · British English

Stands for Member of the Scottish Parliament. A person who has been elected to represent their area in the parliament in Edinburgh.

For teachers: Abbreviation for Member of the Scottish Parliament. An individual elected to the devolved Scottish legislature.

- The local MSP visited the school to talk to students about new laws.
- Several MSPs raised concerns during the debate regarding the impact of the proposed environmental legislation on rural communities.

Usage: Always capitalized. Used as a title before a name or as a countable noun for the office holder.

### 3. US geography

noun · CEFR C1 · American English

Stands for Minneapolis–Saint Paul. People use these letters to refer to the 'Twin Cities' area in Minnesota or its international airport.

For teachers: Abbreviation for Minneapolis–Saint Paul. Used primarily as a geographic identifier for the metropolitan area or as the IATA airport code for Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport.

- We have a long layover at MSP before our flight to London.
- The MSP metropolitan area serves as a major economic hub for the Upper Midwest region of the United States.

## Examples

- Our MSP handles all our cloud security and software updates.
- Small businesses often hire an MSP to manage their servers because they cannot afford a full-time internal IT department.
- The transition to a new MSP required a comprehensive audit of existing network protocols to ensure that the outsourced management team could maintain high availability during the migration.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.