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

Cliff reflected on the song in 1986, telling reggae archivist Roger Steffens: "The essence of my music is struggle. What gives it the icing is the hope of love."

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But Eze's achievement was just the icing on the cake for Arteta's side, because there were outstanding performances right through their team.

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The icing is embracing the pastries like a fitted sheet of deliciousness.

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The baker was hardly inclined to be helpful after that rude, wild-eyed fellow made such a mess in her bakery— and while she was in the middle of icing her Black Forest cakes, yet!

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The icing had been applied in thick, painterly swirls.

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Related Words

• cream 
• glaze