icing

1 of 3

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 3

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

icing

3 of 3

present participle of ice entry 2

Examples of icing in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

All clouds at heights where temperatures dip below freezing have the potential to create icing conditions, according to the FAA, and icing can happen any time of year if the conditions are right. — Elizabeth Wolfe, CNN Money, 3 Nov. 2026

Weather data shows the aircraft entered a rapidly intensifying thunderstorm cell shortly before the pilots reported icing and significant turbulence. — Kris Van Cleave, CBS News, 3 Nov. 2026

The plane was heading east at 35,000 feet when pilots reported turbulence, icing and precipitation and requested to climb 2,000 feet. — Arkansas Online, 2 Nov. 2026

There are many potential factors and the NTSB will consider all of them, including how the pilot responded to the icing and turbulence reported over the radio. — Amy Taxin, Los Angeles Times, 1 Nov. 2026

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