icing

1 of 2

noun (1)

ic·​ing ˈī-siŋ How to pronounce icing (audio)
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

icing

2 of 2

noun (2)

: 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
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
An anti-reflective screen could do just that, with better scratch resistance as the icing on the cake. David Phelan, Forbes.com, 31 July 2025 In Kentucky, where blackberries are the state fruit, a thick layer of jam is spread between the spice cake layers before everything is cloaked top to bottom in caramel icing. Anne Byrn, Southern Living, 26 July 2025 The Superman doughnut is filled with white cream, dipped in light blue icing and topped with buttercream clouds and an image of the Man of Steel. Moná Thomas, People.com, 25 July 2025 More David Cannon/Getty Images The icing on the cake has been his putting. Julio Cesar Valdera Morales, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for icing

Word History

First Known Use

Noun (1)

circa 1740, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

1948, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of icing was circa 1740

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Icing.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/icing. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.

Kids Definition

icing

1 of 2 noun
ic·​ing ˈī-siŋ How to pronounce icing (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on icing

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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