topping

1 of 2

noun

top·​ping ˈtä-piŋ How to pronounce topping (audio)
1
: something that forms a top
especially : a garnish (such as a sauce, bread crumbs, or whipped cream) placed on top of a food for flavor or decoration
2
: the action of one that tops
3
: something removed by topping

topping

2 of 2

adjective

1
: highest in rank or eminence
2
New England : proud, arrogant
3
chiefly British : excellent

Examples of topping in a Sentence

Noun What toppings do you want on the pizza? an ice-cream sundae with whipped-cream topping Adjective I know a topping new pub in Southwark where we won't run into any toffs.
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Extra flavors and toppings, such as butter or salt, can pose a problem for your pooch, the American Kennel Club reports. Olivia Munson, USA TODAY, 23 Feb. 2024 The update packaging will roll out this month and continue throughout the year across its full-sized bottles, breakfast bottles, dessert toppings and golden syrup portions, according to BBC. Sabrina Weiss, Peoplemag, 20 Feb. 2024 The Chinese hot pot restaurant offers robot servers to bring your dishes tableside, along with a sauce and toppings bar. Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 16 Feb. 2024 Braud’s funnel cakes are elevated and garnished with scoops of ice cream and toppings. Dominique Fluker, Essence, 6 Feb. 2024 Choose from icings like chocolate and maple, and then pile on toppings from bacon to candy. Angela Caraway-Carlton, Miami Herald, 22 Feb. 2024 The product’s old logo will continue to be used on Lyle’s classic golden syrup tin, though its bottles and dessert toppings will all now bear the new branding. Oscar Holland, CNN, 21 Feb. 2024 Franchisees Monika and Aaron Leach are operating the second location in North Carolina of the brand known for indulgences that pile toppings high on Mason jars stuffed with ice cream. Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 20 Feb. 2024 More is more with this salad so go to town with the toppings. Sunset Magazine, 20 Feb. 2024
Adjective
Start with this easy nachos recipe, then go to town with topping options such as cilantro, jalapeno peppers, sour cream, and salsa. Bhg Test Kitchen, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Nov. 2022 This Greek Yogurt Parfait comes with one of two topping options, granola or cookie crumbs. Zee Krstic, Good Housekeeping, 6 Dec. 2022 Make topping: Using stand mixer fitted with whisk attachment, whip cream cheese, sugar and vanilla on medium-high speed until very smooth, about 2 minutes, scraping bowl as needed. Tribune News Service, cleveland, 5 July 2022 In a medium bowl, combine the oats, brown sugar, butter and walnuts to form a crumbly topping. Jane Black, Washington Post, 8 Nov. 2022 However, reducing a tree's size by indiscriminately lopping off large branches, referred to as 'topping,' is not a good way of caring for trees. Rachael Baihn, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Oct. 2022 To get people excited about pizza again, Papa Johns is offering a new spin on the classic, with Papa Bowls that are all topping — no crust. Danielle Wiener-Bronner, CNN, 17 Aug. 2022 Work the butter through the dry ingredients to form a crumbly topping. Julia O'Malley, Anchorage Daily News, 30 June 2022 The firm expects that growth rate to continue as landlords compete fiercely in markets where vacancy rates are nearing or topping record levels. Peter Grant, WSJ, 19 Oct. 2021

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'topping.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1691, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of topping was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near topping

Cite this Entry

“Topping.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/topping. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

topping

noun
top·​ping
ˈtäp-iŋ
: a food served on top of another to make it look or taste better

More from Merriam-Webster on topping

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