piping
piping Lexical Profile
piping Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A system or network of pipes used to convey water, gas, oil, or other fluids.
"The plumber had to replace all the corroded copper piping in the basement."
A narrow cord covered with fabric used to trim and decorate the seams or edges of upholstery and clothing.
"The navy blue armchairs were accented with crisp white piping along the cushions."
Lines, rosettes, or decorative patterns of icing, cream, or mashed potato squeezed from a pastry bag onto cakes or other dishes.
"She finished the birthday cake with delicate buttercream piping around the border."
The music or sound of playing a pipe or bagpipes, or a high-pitched whistling sound such as that of a bird.
"The distant piping of the bagpipes echoed across the misty Scottish valley."
• adverb
To a very high or sizzling degree (used almost exclusively in the phrase "piping hot").
"The waiter brought out a bowl of soup that was still piping hot."
• adjective
Having a high-pitched, shrill, or whistling sound, like that of a flute or bird.
"The young boy answered the teacher's question in a clear, piping voice."
Word Nuance & Usage
As an adverb, "piping" is used almost exclusively in the fixed collocation "piping hot" to refer to food or drink that is sizzlingly hot, originating from the whistling sound of escaping steam.
• Rhymes for piping
Word Origin & Etymology
Formed in Middle English as the verbal noun and participial form of "pipe," ultimately from Vulgar Latin "pipa" (a pipe or tubular musical instrument), of imitative origin.