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

Here, a fluffy dough made with the discard, yeast, flour, and sugar is topped with a cinnamon butter and drizzled with homemade cream cheese icing. —Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 May 2025

Marchand set the goal up, racing down the ice to prevent an icing call against Florida before dishing the pass to Lundell. —Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 29 Apr. 2025

And hooking up with Peter Grant and Led Zeppelin was the icing on the cake. —Gary Graff, Billboard, 28 Apr. 2025

Marshmallow Bunny Doughnut: An unglazed shell doughnut filled with marshmallow flavored Kreme, dipped in pastel yellow icing and topped with a bunny face and confectionery ears. —Gabe Hauari, USA Today, 7 Apr. 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