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

The Forest Service told bottled water company BlueTriton Brands to stop piping water out of a California national forest.

From Los Angeles Times

The revelations about Nestlé piping water out of the national forest sparked an outpouring of opposition and prompted several complaints to California regulators questioning the company’s water rights claims, which led to the state’s investigation.

From Los Angeles Times

Thursday mornings at La Princesita Tortilleria in East Los Angeles are devoted to making chips, so customers couldn’t get any piping hot tortillas when I visited last week.

From Los Angeles Times

The level of disruption and duration of the project depends on the space and the piping work involved, said Victor Rodriguez, whose company, Ice Age Mechanical, installs heat pumps in small buildings and homes.

From Seattle Times

“The idea is to offer athletes the chance to grab a piping hot baguette for breakfast,” said baker Tony Doré, who will be working at the Olympic Village’s main restaurant.

From Seattle Times