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

And if Bo can set a world record with the Guinness people, who would supervise any attempt, that would be the icing on the cake. —Erik Shilling, Robb Report, 22 July 2025

And to be brought here to discover the one-night-only production of Chekhov’s The Cherry Orchard, directed by Rob Ashford for the Tangiers Charity Plays—as well as all manner of attendant frivolities—is the icing on the cake. —Hamish Bowles, Vogue, 18 July 2025

The adorable relationship between young Pauline and the silent Donkey Kong is the icing on a very satisfying cake. —ArsTechnica, 16 July 2025

Triple Chocolate Mini Donuts: Chocolate mini donuts dusted with powdered sugar, drizzled with chocolate icing, and topped with chocolate sprinkles and mini milk chocolate chips. —Jess Fleming, Twin Cities, 9 July 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