piping

[pahy-ping]

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.

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.

piping

/ 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

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of piping¹

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

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

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

Example Sentences

One difference is that water is not metered and directly charged in Scotland where purifying, pumping and piping the stuff around is funded through the council tax.

From BBC

Delicious, especially if you enjoy your schadenfreude served piping hot.

From Los Angeles Times

Frankly, if he wasn't piping up you'd be minded to check his pulse.

From BBC

“You don’t have to mess with removing the yolks, mixing them with mayo and mustard and then piping it back into the egg white.”

From Salon

Brick walls and exposed piping contrast with wooden furniture, white couches and floor cushions and the warm glow of Noguchi lampshades.

From Los Angeles Times