piping

American  

[pahy-ping] / ˈpaɪ pɪŋ /

noun

1. pipes pipe collectively; a system or network of pipes. pipe.

2. material formed into a pipe or pipes. pipe.

3. the act of a person or thing that pipes. pipe.

4. the sound of pipes. pipe.

5. a shrill sound.

6. the music of pipes. pipe.

7. a cordlike ornamentation made of icing, used on pastry.

8. a tubular band of ornamental material, sometimes containing a cord, used for trimming the edges and seams of clothing, upholstery, etc.

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adjective

1. characterized by the peaceful music of the pipe.

2. playing on a musical pipe.

3. that pipes. pipe.

4. emitting a shrill sound.

   a piping voice.

idioms

1. piping hot, (of food or drink) very hot.

piping British  

/ ˈpaɪpɪŋ /

noun

1. pipes collectively, esp pipes formed into a connected system, as in the plumbing of a house

2. a cord of icing, whipped cream, etc, often used to decorate desserts and cakes

3. a thin strip of covered cord or material, used to edge hems, etc

4. the sound of a pipe or a set of bagpipes

5. the art or technique of playing a pipe or bagpipes

6. a shrill voice or sound, esp a whistling sound

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adjective

1. making a shrill sound

2. archaic relating to the pipe (associated with peace), as opposed to martial instruments, such as the fife or trumpet

adverb

1. extremely hot

Other Word Forms

• pipingly adverb

Etymology

Origin of piping

1200–50; Middle English (gerund); pipe ¹, -ing ¹, -ing ²

Example Sentences

The pommel-horse shape is accented with pencil-thin metallic piping and soft, suffused light pools in the hollows.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 8, 2026

Your daughter made you a lukewarm cup of tea, and you are rewarding her with a piping hot mug of the finest Colombian coffee.

From MarketWatch • Jan. 6, 2026

It is made by brushing butter onto a piping hot naan and sprinkling a generous amount of chopped garlic on it.

From BBC • Dec. 29, 2025

Plugging idle and exhausted wells includes removing surface valves and piping, pumping large amounts of cement down the hole and reclaiming the surrounding ground.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 11, 2025

“The sisters Cranston,” Lamont announced in a piping voice that crackled like the fire.

From "Secrets at Sea" by Richard Peck