ice

play

noun, often attributive \ ˈīs \

Definition of ice

1 a :frozen water

b :a sheet or stretch of ice

2 :a substance resembling ice; especially :the solid state of a substance usually found as a gas or liquid

ammonia ice in the rings of Saturn

3 :a state of coldness (as from formality or reserve)

4 a :a frozen dessert containing a flavoring (such as fruit juice); especially :one containing no milk or cream

b British :a serving of ice cream

5 slang :diamonds; broadly :jewelry

6 :an undercover premium paid to a theater employee for choice theater tickets

7 :crystal meth

—

iceless

play \ˈīs-ləs\ adjective

— on ice

1 :with every likelihood of being won or accomplished

2 :in reserve or safekeeping

— on thin ice

:in a precarious or risky situation

See ice defined for English-language learners

See ice defined for kids

Examples of ice in a Sentence

The steps were coated with ice.
Ice formed on the car's windows.
The ice melted quickly in the hot sun.
She skated out onto the ice.
He almost fell through a hole in the ice.
Fill the glass with ice.
He gave her some ice for her birthday.

Recent Examples of ice from the Web

The milk bar is also a hot spot for ice cream and cheese tastings.

— sarah gish, kansascity, "Ten KC companies that spoil employees with unbelievable perks," 30 Aug. 2017
The historical society’s annual ice cream social will be from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. and there will be face-painting and other games and activities for youngsters.

— jennie key, Cincinnati.com, "Mount Healthy bicentennial includes Celebrate Mt. Healthy Day Sept. 9," 30 Aug. 2017
In March, Niall Horan gave some valuable insight into the choice to put One Direction on ice.

— anne t. donahue, Cosmopolitan, "5 Reasons to Worry Fifth Harmony Will Be the Group’s Last Album," 25 Aug. 2017
Narwhals are helping NASA understand melting ice and rising seas.

— Bloomberg.com, "Your Evening Briefing," 24 Aug. 2017
McCoughtry said she was inspired to open an ice cream shop by her sweet tooth.

— andy buhler, The Courier-Journal, "U of L's Angel McCoughtry eyes return to basketball after sitting out WNBA season," 17 Aug. 2017
The jingle of an ice cream truck streamed through the breeze.

— alden woods, azcentral, "$200 from home: Renters in the housing crisis are often stuck between help and affordability," 17 Aug. 2017
According to NASA, comets are made up of a lot of ice, along with rock and hydrocarbons, while asteroids are made of metals and rock.

— valerie strauss, Washington Post, "The space quiz: Test your knowledge about the eclipse, our solar system and beyond," 15 Aug. 2017
Park District police officers distributed free Riverwalk Cafe ice cream vouchers to kids who demonstrated safe bike riding practices.

— mary salatino, Naperville Sun, "Kids tackle Junior Tour de Naperville with a tour de force," 12 Aug. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'ice.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of ice

Middle English is, from Old English īs; akin to Old High German īs ice, Avestan isu- icy

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

See Words from the same year

Other Chemical Engineering Terms

alkali, cation, decant, hygroscopic, isotope, oxidize, slurry, solute, viscous

ice

verb

Definition of ice

iced; icing

transitive verb

1 a :to coat with or convert into ice

b :to chill with ice

c :to supply with ice

2 :to cover with or as if with icing

3 :to put on ice

4 :secure 1b

made two free throws … to ice the win
—Jack McCallum

5 :to shoot (an ice hockey puck) the length of the rink and beyond the opponents' goal line

6 slang :kill 1a

intransitive verb

1 :to become ice-cold

2 a :to become covered with ice —often used with up or over

b :to have ice form inside

See ice defined for English-language learners

Examples of ice in a Sentence

Ice the glasses before you fill them.
with that win, the team has pretty much iced a spot in the play-offs

First Known Use of ice

15th century

ice Synonyms

Synonyms

assure, cinch, guarantee, guaranty, ensure, insure, secure

Related Words

attest, certify, vouch, warrant, witness; pledge, promise, swear

Near Antonyms

enfeeble, undermine, weaken

Ice

abbreviation

Definition of Ice

Iceland

ICE

abbreviation

Definition of ICE

1 internal combustion engine

2 International Cultural Exchange

Other Automotive Terms

articulated, block, choke, clutch, diesel, neutral, transmission

ICE Defined for English Language Learners

ice

play

noun

Definition of ice for English Language Learners

: frozen water
: a sheet of frozen water
: cubes or pieces of ice

ice

verb

Definition of ice for English Language Learners

: to make (something) cold with ice
: to cover (something, such as a cake) with icing
: to make winning or getting (something) certain

ICE Defined for Kids

ice

play

noun \ ˈīs \

Definition of ice for Students

1 :frozen water

2 :a sheet of frozen water

She skated out onto the ice.

3 :a substance like ice

Ammonia ice is found in the rings of Saturn.

4 :a frozen dessert usually made with sweetened fruit juice

ice

verb

Definition of ice for Students

iced; icing

1 :to coat or become coated with ice

The roads iced up.

2 :to chill with ice

Ice the glasses.

3 :to cover with icing

Medical Dictionary

ice

play

noun \ ˈīs \

medical Definition of ice

1 :frozen water

2 :crystal meth

Law Dictionary

ICE

abbreviation

legal Definition of ICE

Immigration and Customs Enforcement

Learn More about ice

See words that rhyme with ice Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for ice Spanish Central: Translation of ice Nglish: Translation of ice for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of ice for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about ice

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ice

Definition of ice

iceless

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Examples of ice in a Sentence

Recent Examples of ice from the Web

Origin and Etymology of ice

Other Chemical Engineering Terms

ice

Definition of ice

Examples of ice in a Sentence

First Known Use of ice

ice Synonyms

Synonyms

Related Words

Near Antonyms

Ice

Definition of Ice

ICE

Definition of ICE

Other Automotive Terms

ICE Defined for English Language Learners

ice

Definition of ice for English Language Learners

ice

Definition of ice for English Language Learners

ICE Defined for Kids

ice

Definition of ice for Students

ice

Definition of ice for Students

Medical Dictionary

ice

medical Definition of ice

Law Dictionary

ICE

legal Definition of ICE

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