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. piping hot
   extremely hot

Other Words From

• piping·ly 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

You could sew lead piping into that and it wouldn't show up.

From The Daily Beast

He saw a chain barrier covered with PVC piping that the Jeep had apparently struck and damaged before becoming stuck.

From The Daily Beast

In an email to White, Minyon wrote, “I am piping up saying we need your services,” adding “I will fight for it.”

From The Daily Beast

When the piping finally concludes, a third man steps forward.

From The Daily Beast

He said he was a retired pipe designer, and had done the piping for the Wild Turkery distillery down the road.

From The Daily Beast

The Shepherd, who was as wise as he was comely, had proper regard for her rank and danced in her honor to his own piping.

From Project Gutenberg

There was a mingled odour of foods, piping hot, and over all the grateful aroma from half a dozen coffee-pots.

From Project Gutenberg

So we awoke in the morning, with the sunshine smiting the snow into diamonds and a chickadee piping for breakfast.

From Project Gutenberg

The merman uncoiled a length of thin, flexible piping which joined a two-foot canister with a flat piece of metallic fabric.

From Project Gutenberg

"You sure mustn't speak to a lady that way," replied the stranger, firmly, in his little piping voice.

From Project Gutenberg