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

For dessert was a chocolate cake with brown butter vanilla buttercream icing baked by Gaby Scelzo, decorated with baby blue ruffles and pink frosted roses. —Ashlyn Robinette, PEOPLE, 8 Sep. 2025

Cupcake icing and sports drinks — in all their crayon-like colors — are the final frontiers for Nick Scheidler's team. —Alina Selyukh, NPR, 8 Sep. 2025

Meanwhile, make the icing, in a medium bowl whisk together the powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and milk. —Katlyn Moncada, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Sep. 2025

Severe icing struck his C-117D during a resupply mission. —Marisa Garcia, Forbes.com, 7 Sep. 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