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

With the cinnamon raisin biscuit, most of the sweetness is in the icing, tickling your brain when contrasted with the savory, spiced biscuit. —John Graham, Orlando Sentinel, 19 Dec. 2024

Just pair with your favorite jeans as the icing on the cake to a colorless outfit, like Bella Hadid. —Anna Daniela Burai, Glamour, 18 Dec. 2024

Just drizzle two or three colors of thin icing on top of a bowl of white icing, lightly swirl the colors together with a toothpick, then dip the top of the cookie straight in and out of the icing. —Amy Panos, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Dec. 2024

No trip would be complete, of course, without trying the famous Sacher-Torte, a decadent chocolate cake layered with apricot jam and chocolate icing. —Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 7 Dec. 2024

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