icing

American  

[ahy-sing] / ˈaɪ sɪŋ /

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.

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idioms

1. icing on the cake. frosting.

icing British  

/ 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 )

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Etymology

Origin of icing

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

Example Sentences

Further along the table, a three-tiered honey cake sits near a wholemeal plum cake with spiced icing, while a Swedish princess cake draws gasps of admiration with its dome of sponge, jam, custard and marzipan.

From BBC

“The fact that we now have an American pope is the icing on the cake,” he said.

From The Wall Street Journal

He lets them know that he’s icing Gerri and, since he’s in a mood, axing Cyd too, instructing Tom to stay on Roman to make sure he doesn’t punk out.

From Salon

After watching Jukebox Man finish eighth, Redknapp said winning would have been the "icing on the cake", but it had been "a great season" regardless after victory in December's King George VI Chase.

From BBC

The words Congratulations, Grace! are written out in purple icing on top, with yellow flowers around the edge and Sundae School’s trademark star-shaped sprinkles down the sides.

From Literature

Related Words

• cream
• glaze