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

If that same airplane needed de-icing before the flight transporting the customers, the customer could end up paying two de-icing bills. —Doug Gollan, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026

Dunkin is also offering the Cupid’s Choice Classic Donut, which is filled with Bavarian Cream and topped with strawberry icing and Valentine’s sprinkles. —Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 Jan. 2026

While snow totals in some parts of the state were lower than initially forecast, the governor said freezing rain caused significant icing. —Michael Guise, CBS News, 27 Jan. 2026

And there is a time limit on how long de-icing remains effective. —Patrick Whittle, Chicago Tribune, 27 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