1
: a sweet flavored usually creamy mixture used to coat baked goods (such as cupcakes)
called also frosting
2
: something that adds to the interest, value, or appeal of an item or event
—often used in the phrase icing on the cake
: an illegal act by an ice hockey player of shooting a puck from within the defensive zone or defensive half of the rink beyond the opponents' goal line but not into the goal
Examples of icing in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Nellah Bailey McGough, Southern Living, 11 Feb. 2026
In 2015, the IIHF adopted hybrid icing, which matches what the NHL has used since 2013.
—Jesse Granger, New York Times, 10 Feb. 2026
Teddy Bear Cookies & Kreme Doughnut: An unglazed heart doughnut filled with Cookies & Kreme, dipped in chocolate icing, topped with a white chocolate bear face.
—Mike Snider, USA Today, 2 Feb. 2026
While some jet card and fractional programs include de-icing or sell de-icing insurance, brokers say the potential extra charges, which aren't known until after the flight, helped convince some clients to stay home.
—Doug Gollan, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for icing
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Noun
My daughters like to get creative by adding their own special touches with sprinkles and red, pink, and white icing.
—Nellah Bailey McGough, Southern Living, 11 Feb. 2026
In 2015, the IIHF adopted hybrid icing, which matches what the NHL has used since 2013.
—Jesse Granger, New York Times, 10 Feb. 2026
Teddy Bear Cookies & Kreme Doughnut: An unglazed heart doughnut filled with Cookies & Kreme, dipped in chocolate icing, topped with a white chocolate bear face.
—Mike Snider, USA Today, 2 Feb. 2026
While some jet card and fractional programs include de-icing or sell de-icing insurance, brokers say the potential extra charges, which aren't known until after the flight, helped convince some clients to stay home.
—Doug Gollan, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for icing
Cite this Entry
“Icing.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/icing. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
icing
1 of 2 noun
ic·ing
ˈī-siŋ 
1
: a sweet coating for baked goods (as cakes)
called also frosting
2
: something that adds to the interest, value, or appeal of an item or event
—often used in the phrase icing on the cake
icing
2 of 2 noun
: the shooting of a hockey puck the length of the rink and beyond the opponent's goal line
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
