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

Platforms, walkways, doors and windows on the vehicles are also being treated to prevent icing and any damage. —Suryatapa Chakraborty, Dallas Morning News, 23 Jan. 2026

Its red, purple, white, or peach blooms that coincide with the season are just the icing on the cake. —Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 22 Jan. 2026

Areas from Rome to Atlanta to Augusta could still see icing, but amounts will depend on how long cold air holds in place. —Troy Bridges, CBS News, 22 Jan. 2026

Forecasters say freezing rain and icing are not expected in the Kansas City metro, but several inches of snow are possible this weekend. —Kansas City Star, 22 Jan. 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