piping

noun pip·ing \ ˈpī-piŋ \

Definition of piping

1 a :a sound, note, or call like that of a pipe

b :the music of a pipe

2 :a quantity or system of pipes

3 :trimming stitched in seams or along edges (as of clothing, slipcovers, or curtains)

See piping defined for English-language learners

See piping defined for kids

Examples of piping in a Sentence

There's a problem with the piping in the building.
a sofa trimmed with blue piping
a uniform with yellow piping down the pants

Recent Examples of piping from the Web

One had black piping and was used for promos; another was trucked around for events with fans.

— alex suskind, HWD, "Inside Nickelodeon’s Saturday Night Gamble," 15 Aug. 2017
For the little one who wants to look just like Mom (or maybe a cool teenage cousin), a gray pinstripe blouse with pink piping (Cat & Jack, $16.99) would look darling with skinny olive pants (Cat & Jack, $16.99).

— caitlin wallace, kansascity, "These back-to-school shopping options are affordable and adorable," 26 July 2017
Since last summer, Israel has transferred infrastructure equipment such as generators and piping to repair the water system, as well as hundreds of tons of basic food supplies and medicine.

— ruth eglash, Washington Post, "For the first time, Israel describes the aid work it carries out in Syria," 19 July 2017
Place the cheese filling in a piping bag (preferably) or use a spoon to put 6, 1-ounce portions of filling on to your bottom sheet of dough.

— caron golden, sandiegouniontribune.com, "How to be a pasta pro," 17 July 2017
On a recent afternoon, workers behind three-story high staging were welding together modules and connecting piping and cable systems to form the submarine that will be home to a crew of about 130.

— stephen singer, courant.com, "Electric Boat 'Hiring Frenzy' Gives Economic Boost To Southeastern Connecticut," 16 July 2017
Kylie showed off her famous Kardashian curves in a baby-pink, textured one-piece with black piping.

— braelyn wood, Cosmopolitan, "These Photos of Kylie Jenner in a Swimsuit Are Total Fire," 28 June 2017
Known as Aviator Breathing Oxygen, ABO is passed from a concentrator through piping to an oxygen monitor and then to a regulator connected to the pilot's breathing mask.

— eric tegler, Popular Mechanics, "Hypoxia Threatens Navy and Air Force Pilots, and the Threat Is Growing," 25 June 2017
Using a piping bag or Ziploc bag with the corner snipped off, pipe frosting around the first layer of cake to outline.

— hanna howard, Teen Vogue, "How to Make a Rainbow Cake," 19 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'piping.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of piping

13th century

piping

adjective

Definition of piping

1 :shrill

a piping voice

2 :tranquil

piping times of peace
—William Shakespeare

See piping defined for English-language learners

Examples of piping in a Sentence

the piping voices of small children
the piping sound of the teakettle caught my attention

First Known Use of piping

15th century

piping Synonyms

Synonyms

high-pitched, shrill, screeching, shrieking, squeaking, squeaky, treble, whistling

Antonyms

bass, deep, grave, low, throaty

Related Words

peeping, thin, tinny; earsplitting, nasal, penetrating, piercing, sharp, strident; squealing, whining, whiny (also whiney), yapping, yelping

Near Antonyms

gruff, hoarse, husky, rough, smoky (also smokey)

PIPING Defined for English Language Learners

piping

noun

Definition of piping for English Language Learners

: pipes that carry water, gas, etc.
: the music of a pipe or pipes
: a narrow tube of cloth that is used to decorate clothes, furniture, etc.

piping

adjective

Definition of piping for English Language Learners

: having a high-pitched sound or tone

PIPING Defined for Kids

piping

noun pip·ing \ ˈpī-piŋ \

Definition of piping for Students

1 :a quantity or system of pipes

2 :the music of a pipe

3 :a high-pitched sound or call

the piping of frogs

4 :a narrow fold of material used to decorate edges or seams

Learn More about piping

See words that rhyme with piping Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for piping Spanish Central: Translation of piping Nglish: Translation of piping for Spanish speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about piping

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piping

Definition of piping

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Examples of piping in a Sentence

Recent Examples of piping from the Web

First Known Use of piping

piping

Definition of piping

Examples of piping in a Sentence

First Known Use of piping

piping Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

Related Words

Near Antonyms

PIPING Defined for English Language Learners

piping

Definition of piping for English Language Learners

piping

Definition of piping for English Language Learners

PIPING Defined for Kids

piping

Definition of piping for Students

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