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

But the sausage … Great snap, flavorful, simple and the beans were like the icing of a cake. —Charlotte Observer, 17 Dec. 2025

Spread the dreidels with colored frosting, then use white hard-drying icing to embellish them as shown. —Janna Oberdorf, Parents, 15 Dec. 2025

Make sure your cream cheese is completely softened before mixing the icing for the best result. —Jenna Sims, Southern Living, 13 Dec. 2025

In addition to the widespread light icing and snow, parts of Montana—including regions near Miles City, Broadus, Baker, and Glendive—are also under a Winter Storm Watch beginning Thursday afternoon or evening. —Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Dec. 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