icing

1 of 2

noun (1)

ic·​ing ˈī-siŋ 

1

: a sweet flavored usually creamy mixture used to coat baked goods (such as cupcakes)

called also frosting

2

: something that adds to the interest, value, or appeal of an item or event

—often used in the phrase icing on the cake

icing

2 of 2

noun (2)

: an illegal act by an ice hockey player of shooting a puck from within the defensive zone or defensive half of the rink beyond the opponents' goal line but not into the goal

Examples of icing in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Rushing back Anthony Davis only for him to get injured in his first game was the icing on the cake, except the cake also needed a cherry. —John Hollinger, The Athletic, 12 Feb. 2025

How to get static out of hair is the icing on the bitter-tasting cake that is wintertime. —Petra Guglielmetti, Glamour, 11 Feb. 2025

My daughters like to get creative by adding their own special touches with sprinkles and red, pink, and white icing. —Staff Author, Southern Living, 10 Feb. 2025

Winning an Emmy Award recently was the icing on the cake. —Ted Johnson, Deadline, 6 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Noun (1)

circa 1740, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

1948, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing icing

• anti-icing
• icing on the cake
• icing sugar
• royal icing

Kids Definition

icing

1 of 2 noun

ic·​ing ˈī-siŋ 

1

: a sweet coating for baked goods (as cakes)

called also frosting

2

: something that adds to the interest, value, or appeal of an item or event

—often used in the phrase icing on the cake

icing

2 of 2 noun

: the shooting of a hockey puck the length of the rink and beyond the opponent's goal line