piping: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Technical, Culinary, Decorative Arts
Quick answer
What does “piping” mean?
The action or process of conveying something (especially a fluid or gas) through a pipe or tube.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The action or process of conveying something (especially a fluid or gas) through a pipe or tube.
A decorative line or pattern of icing, fabric, or other material applied to a surface, often resembling a pipe; also, a high-pitched sound.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal. Both use all senses. 'Piping hot' is equally common. In technical contexts (plumbing, engineering), terminology is identical.
Connotations
Neutral in technical contexts. 'Piping' in a decorative/culinary context often connotes craftsmanship or finishing detail.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in UK English in the sewing context ('piping cord'). The phrase 'piping hot' is very common in both.
Grammar
How to Use “piping” in a Sentence
[material] pipingpiping for [purpose]piping on [garment/furniture]piping of [substance]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “piping” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- She was piping the royal icing onto the wedding cake with great skill.
- The engineer piped the natural gas into the new housing estate.
American English
- He's piping the frosting onto the cupcakes in a spiral pattern.
- They will pipe the water from the new reservoir to the city.
adverb
British English
- The tea was served piping hot. (part of compound adjective)
- The child sang piping clear. (archaic/poetic)
American English
- Bring the soup to the table piping hot.
- The whistle blew piping loud across the field.
adjective
British English
- The shepherd's pie was served piping hot from the oven.
- They heard the piping voices of the choirboys.
American English
- The coffee needs to be piping hot when you serve it.
- A piping sound came from the old steam radiator.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Refers to infrastructure in construction or utilities (e.g., 'The piping for the new plant').
Academic
Used in engineering, materials science, and historical texts (e.g., 'Analysis of corrosion in copper piping').
Everyday
Most common in cooking ('piping hot soup') and sewing/crafts ('a cushion with red piping').
Technical
Precise term in plumbing, HVAC, oil/gas industries, and pastry/culinary arts.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “piping”
- Using 'piping' as a verb (the verb is 'to pipe').
- Confusing 'piping' (the system/trim) with 'a pipe' (a single object).
- Misspelling as 'pipping'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While a core meaning involves conveying fluids/gas, 'piping' is also a major term in sewing (decorative fabric trim) and cake decorating (using an icing bag).
In engineering, 'piping' often implies a system for conveying something under pressure, with specific connections and standards. 'Tubing' can be more general, sometimes for structural purposes or smaller-scale fluid transfer. In everyday language, they are often used interchangeably.
Yes, but almost exclusively in the fixed phrase 'piping hot'. It can also be used attributively in compounds like 'piping bag' (culinary) or 'piping cord' (sewing).
It is neutral and common in both everyday and descriptive writing (e.g., recipes, reviews). It is not overly informal.
The action or process of conveying something (especially a fluid or gas) through a pipe or tube.
Piping: in British English it is pronounced /ˈpʌɪpɪŋ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈpaɪpɪŋ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “piping hot (very hot)”
- “the piping times of peace (archaic, from Shakespeare)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a chef PIPING icing onto a cake, using a tool that looks like a small pipe.
Conceptual Metaphor
A CHANNEL IS A PIPELINE (for movement/transfer); DECORATION IS AN APPLIED LINE.
Practice
Quiz
In which context would 'piping' most likely refer to a decorative element?