icing

[ahy-sing]

noun

1. a sweet, creamy spread, as of confectioners' sugar, butter, and flavoring, for covering cakes, cookies, etc.; frosting.

2. Meteorology.,  a coating of ice on a solid object.

3. Aviation.,  the freezing of atmospheric moisture on the surface of an aircraft.

4. Ice Hockey.,  the act of a player shooting the puck from the defensive half of the rink over the opponent's goal line, but not into the goal, as a defensive maneuver to keep the puck out of the reach of attacking opponents, resulting in a penalty against the defensive team if the puck is then next touched by an opponent other than the goalkeeper.

icing

/ ˈaɪsɪŋ /

noun

1. Also called (esp US and Canadian): frosting. a sugar preparation, variously flavoured and coloured, for coating and decorating cakes, biscuits, etc

2. the formation of ice, as on a ship or aircraft, due to the freezing of moisture in the atmosphere

3. any unexpected extra or bonus (esp in icing on the cake )

Word History and Origins

Origin of icing¹

First recorded in 1760–70; ice + -ing ¹

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. icing on the cake. frosting.

Example Sentences

The idea is that, along with resting and icing the affected area, wrapping it in an elastic medical bandage and keeping the injured part propped up above your heart can help reduce swelling and pain.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

They’ve been antagonistic, and it felt like a beautiful moment of female friendship and blossoming and this incredible Gaga song was just like the icing on the cake.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

A turtle drifting into the scene was the "icing on the cake", according to Mr Szabo.

Read more on BBC

So, I would like to master the caramel icing, and I’d like to master decorating those decorated cakes.

Read more on Salon

She’s made it so intrinsic to her plot, for so many believable reasons, that it’s also the icing and the cherry on the wedding cake.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• cream 
• glaze