piping

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'piping' is correct and commonly used in written English.
It can be used as a noun or an adjective to describe something that is made or covered with a thin layer or strip of a decorative or functional material, such as cloth or piping. Example 1: The wedding dress was beautifully decorated with delicate lace and delicate piping along the seams. Example 2: The chef added a sprinkle of fresh herbs and a swirl of piping hot gravy to the dish before serving it to the guests. Example 3: She admired the intricate piping design on the edges of the hand-sewn quilt. Example 4: The sound of bagpipes filled the air as the parade marched through the streets. Example 5: The piping on the curtains added a touch of elegance to the room.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Lifestyle

General

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Either spoon it into a piping bag to pipe into heart shapes, or press gently into a heart-shaped cookie cutter.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

And piping protected him.The Nut-Brown MaidenThe pipes themselves were less lucky, injured by shrapnel as he dived into a ditch.

The Economist

Whisk together the sugar and lemon juice and put into a piping bag with a small round tip if you have one.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Put the jam into a piping bag with a long, fine nozzle and push into the centre of each square, then squeeze half a teaspoon of jam into each one.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Egg and dairy-based dishes such as frittata, rice puddings and custards taste far better warm than "piping hot".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Serve piping hot, with a squirt of ketchup on the side.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Both Bates and Hopkinson suggest you leave the pie to cool slightly or to room temperature rather than serving it "piping hot".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Mr Garcetti has had little to say about them (schools, admittedly, lie largely outside his jurisdiction, but that has not stopped other mayors from piping up).The same could be said for another threat to Los Angeles's economic future.

The Economist

Wi-Fi, they claim, will be used for piping data around a home network, while UWB will be used to connect devices in the same room.So it could be a year or two before a clear winner emerges.

The Economist

Alaska's representatives in Washington, DC have a hard-earned reputation for piping federal dollars back home.

The Economist

The other two are piping the captured gas towards a place underground where the rocks will trap it, and then actually trapping it there.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To convey the idea of hot use piping hot

Common error

Avoid using "piping" to describe processes that don't involve the literal or figurative transfer of fluids or data. For instance, saying "piping information" is acceptable, but "piping ideas" may not be.

Linguistic Context

The word "piping" functions as a verb (gerund/present participle), a noun, and an adjective, depending on the context. As Ludwig AI illustrates, "piping" is versatile, describing both a process and a quality.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Lifestyle

25%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the term "piping" is a versatile word functioning as a verb, noun and adjective, with various meanings spanning from conveying substances through pipes to decorating with icing. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage across diverse contexts. Its frequent appearance in "News & Media" and "Lifestyle" contexts highlights its relevance in both technical and everyday communication. While generally correct, be mindful of using "piping" in contexts that accurately reflect fluid transfer, ornamentation, or high-pitched sounds. It is a very common word, so consider its meaning carefully in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

pipework

A collective term for a system of pipes.

plumbing

Refers specifically to the system of pipes and fixtures for water or gas.

ductwork

Implies a system of ducts for ventilation or air conditioning.

channels

Suggests a broader conveyance system, not necessarily enclosed.

conduits

Indicates a protective tube or trough for electrical wiring or cables.

conveying

Highlights the action of transporting something through a system.

transporting

Focuses on the act of moving something from one place to another.

high-pitched

Focuses specifically on the acoustic quality of being high in tone.

loud

Emphasizes the high volume of sound.

hot

Describes the temperature of something.

FAQs

How to use "piping" in a sentence?

"Piping" can be used as a noun, verb or adjective. For example: "The baker is skilled at "piping" intricate designs on cakes", "The "piping" in the old house needed repair" or "The soup was served piping hot".

What does "piping hot" mean?

"Piping hot" means extremely hot. It is often used to describe food that is served very warm.

When is it appropriate to use "plumbing" instead of "piping"?

Use "plumbing" when referring to the entire system of pipes, drains, and fixtures for water and gas in a building. "Piping" can refer to a specific component within that system or to the action of conveying something.

What are some synonyms for "piping" when referring to a high-pitched sound?

When "piping" refers to a high-pitched sound, you could use synonyms like "shrill", "squeaky", or "treble" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.