topping

American  

[top-ing] / ˈtɒp ɪŋ /

noun

1. the act of a person or thing that tops.

2. a distinct part forming a top to something.

3. something put on a thing at the top to complete it, as a sauce or garnish placed on food.

4. toppings, the parts removed in topping or cropping plants, as branches.

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adjective

1. rising above something else; overtopping.

2. very high in rank, degree, etc.

3. Chiefly British Informal. excellent; wonderful.

topping British  

/ ˈtɒpɪŋ /

noun

1. something that tops something else, esp a sauce or garnish for food

2. angling part of a brightly-coloured feather, usually from a golden pheasant crest, used to top some artificial flies

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adjective

1. high or superior in rank, degree, etc

2. slang excellent; splendid

Other Word Forms

• untopping
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of topping

1300–50; Middle English: top part; see top ¹, -ing ¹, -ing ²

Example Sentences

But the digital ad revenue portion of that pie continued to grow, topping $1.75 billion.

From Los Angeles Times • May 22, 2026

The recipes in “The Book of Pizza” go from simpler and more traditional to considerably more creative, culminating in a sourdough Detroit pizza with a cacio e pepe topping.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 22, 2026

Revenue grew 32% to $1.72 billion, just topping the analyst consensus view of $1.71 billion, according to FactSet.

From Barron's • May 19, 2026

The IPO had priced late Wednesday at $185, topping its previously announced expected range of $150 to $160, which had already been raised from $115 to $125.

From MarketWatch • May 15, 2026

Meanwhile, Roberto and I continued working, thinning lettuce and topping carrots, after school and on Saturdays and Sundays.

From "The Circuit: Stories from the Life of a Migrant Child" by Francisco Jiménez