icing

[ ahy-sing ]

noun

1. a sweet, creamy spread, as of confectioners' sugar, butter, and flavoring, for covering cakes, cookies, etc.; frosting.
2. Meteorology. a coating of ice on a solid object. Compare glaze, rime ¹.
3. Aviation. the freezing of atmospheric moisture on the surface of an aircraft.
4. Ice Hockey. the act of a player shooting the puck from the defensive half of the rink over the opponent's goal line, but not into the goal, as a defensive maneuver to keep the puck out of the reach of attacking opponents, resulting in a penalty against the defensive team if the puck is then next touched by an opponent other than the goalkeeper.

icing

/ ˈaɪsɪŋ /

noun

1. Also called (esp US and Canadian)frosting a sugar preparation, variously flavoured and coloured, for coating and decorating cakes, biscuits, etc
2. the formation of ice, as on a ship or aircraft, due to the freezing of moisture in the atmosphere
3. any unexpected extra or bonus (esp in icing on the cake )

Word History and Origins

Origin of icing¹

First recorded in 1760–70; ice + -ing ¹

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. icing on the cake. frosting ( def 5 ).

Example Sentences

But three years later it emerged that the cables used on the new bridge are more prone to icing problems than the earlier bridge which has only once been closed by ice during its lifetime.

From BBC

She said: "To have Hattie already down there filming was amazing, but for her friend to then book the younger version of the title role was just the icing on the cake."

From BBC

The wedding took place while he was on leave from the army; wartime shortages meant they had rice paper rather than icing on the cake.

From BBC

When it comes to loaf cakes riddled with cracks, should frustrated bakers cover them with icing?

From Salon

"It’s voted for by the audience and viewers. This is the icing on the cake it’s amazing," he added.

From BBC

Related Words

• cream
• glaze