piping hot

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

pip•ing /ˈpaɪpɪŋ/   n. [uncountable]

1. Civil Engineering pipes thought of as a group;
   a system of pipes.
2. Civil Engineering material formed into pipes.
3. the act of a person or thing that pipes.
4. the sound or music of pipes.

adj. 

5. Music and Dance making a shrill sound:
   a piping voice.

Idioms

6. Idioms piping hot, (of food or drink) very hot.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

pip•ing  (pī′ping), n. 

1. Civil Engineering pipes collectively;
   a system or network of pipes.
2. Civil Engineering material formed into a pipe or pipes.
3. the act of a person or thing that pipes.
4. the sound of pipes.
5. a shrill sound.
6. Music and Dance the music of pipes.
7. Food a cordlike ornamentation made of icing, used on pastry.
8. Clothing a tubular band of ornamental material, sometimes containing a cord, used for trimming the edges and seams of clothing, upholstery, etc.

adj. 

9. Music and Dance characterized by the peaceful music of the pipe.
10. Music and Dance playing on a musical pipe.
11. Music and Dance that pipes.
12. Music and Dance emitting a shrill sound:
    a piping voice.
13. Idioms piping hot, (of food or drink) very hot.

• 1200–50; Middle English (gerund, gerundive); see pipe¹, -ing¹, -ing²

pip′ing•ly, adv. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

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. relating to the pipe (associated with peace), as opposed to martial instruments, such as the fife or trumpet

adverb

1. piping hot ⇒ extremely hot