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

In a destination with this much to offer, star sightings are merely the icing on the cake. —Sheila Yasmin Marikar, AFAR Media, 19 Mar. 2025

After Vinni Lettieri used his speed to wipe out an icing call, the puck eventually came back around to him behind the net. —Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 14 Mar. 2025

Choco-shenanigans doughnut — an unglazed shell doughnut filled with white Kreme™, dipped in chocolate icing and topped with green icing drizzles and gold glitter sprinkles. —Tanasia Kenney, Miami Herald, 14 Mar. 2025

Stealing Lynn away from the Cubs would just be the icing on top of the cake. —Mark Davis, Newsweek, 14 Mar. 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

Rhymes for icing

• deicing
• dicing
• pricing
• slicing
• splicing
• enticing
• sufficing
• sacrificing
• satisficing

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