ice

noun, often attributive \ ˈīs \

Updated on: 4 Dec 2017

Definition of ice

1 a : frozen water

b : a sheet or stretch of ice

2 : a substance resembling ice; especially : the solid state of a substance usually found as a gas or liquid

ammonia ice in the rings of Saturn

3 : a state of coldness (as from formality or reserve)

4 a : a frozen dessert containing a flavoring (such as fruit juice); especially : one containing no milk or cream

b British : a serving of ice cream

5 slang : diamonds; broadly : jewelry

6 : an undercover premium paid to a theater employee for choice theater tickets

7 : crystal meth

—

iceless

play \ˈīs-ləs\ adjective

— on ice

1 : with every likelihood of being won or accomplished

2 : in reserve or safekeeping

— on thin ice

: in a precarious or risky situation

See ice defined for English-language learners

See ice defined for kids

Examples of ice in a Sentence

The steps were coated with ice.
Ice formed on the car's windows.
The ice melted quickly in the hot sun.
She skated out onto the ice.
He almost fell through a hole in the ice.
Fill the glass with ice.
He gave her some ice for her birthday.

Recent Examples of ice from the Web

Minor said there were no ice-bucket dumpings or anything of that nature in the postgame locker room.

— tom groeschen, Cincinnati.com, "UC-Tulane football game: Instant analysis as Bearcats snap 5-game skid," 4 Nov. 2017
During the recent event, the singles enjoyed an afternoon that began with a casual buffet dinner, followed by ice-breaker games before the actual 12 segments of the five-minute dating began.

— sue ellen ross, Post-Tribune, "Speed-dating event sparks conversation, connections," 2 Nov. 2017
The city is installing chillers to keep the ice cold even during warmer weather.

— chris sikich, Indianapolis Star, "Carmel's Christmas market, ice rink, to open Nov. 18," 30 Oct. 2017
Plus, anyone who books one of the treatments will get access to all the extensive amenities that the spa offers, which include Himalayan salt walls and Arctic ice fountains.

— sunhee grinnell, vanityfair.com, "Quick Spa Getaways," 20 Oct. 2017
Writer Joan Didion used to ice-skate here as a child.

— Condé Nast Traveler, "The Broadmoor," 20 Oct. 2017
The East Antarctic ice sheet contains even more ice than the western sheet: the Totten glacier alone would account for 7 meters (23 feet) of sea level rise.

— Longreads, "We Should Be Talking About the Effect of Climate Change on Cities," 20 Oct. 2017
Joining Doc Popcorn is Dippin' Dots, an ice cream shop that features tiny beads of ice cream, yogurt, sherbet and flavored ice products.

— bob bong, Daily Southtown, "Comings & Goings: Kernel Sweetooth to close Frankfort location," 17 Oct. 2017
A month ago, another Wienermobile went through a 2-mile one-way tunnel into one of the most remote towns in America, in Whittier, Alaska, braving snow and ice to deliver Oscar Mayer’s new hot dog (nitrate free) to the residents there.

— maggie lange, Bon Appetit, "The Most Exclusive Summer Internship Is Aboard the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile," 6 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'ice.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of ice

Middle English is, from Old English īs; akin to Old High German īs ice, Avestan isu- icy

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

See Words from the same year

Other Chemical Engineering Terms

alkali, cation, decant, hygroscopic, isotope, oxidize, slurry, solute, viscous

ice

verb

Definition of ice

iced; icing

transitive verb

1 a : to coat with or convert into ice

b : to chill with ice

c : to supply with ice

2 : to cover with or as if with icing

3 : to put on ice

4 : secure 1b

made two free throws … to ice the win
—Jack McCallum

5 : to shoot (an ice hockey puck) the length of the rink and beyond the opponents' goal line

6 slang : kill 1a

intransitive verb

1 : to become ice-cold

2 a : to become covered with ice —often used with up or over

b : to have ice form inside

See ice defined for English-language learners

Examples of ice in a Sentence

Ice the glasses before you fill them.
with that win, the team has pretty much iced a spot in the play-offs

Recent Examples of ice from the Web

With their playoff opener at home, however, why not add icing to the cake?

— corey roepken, Houston Chronicle, "Scouting report: Dynamo vs Sporting Kansas City," 26 Oct. 2017
Melvin Ingram’s sack/forced fumble/fumble recovery was probably the most important play of the Chargers’ season, and Tre Boston’s fourth-down interception iced the victory.

— dan woike, latimes.com, "What we learned in the Chargers’ 27-22 win over the Giants," 9 Oct. 2017
What a punt return Agnew, the rookie fifth-round pick, had to ice the Lions’ victory early in Monday’s fourth quarter.

— dave birkett, Detroit Free Press, "Detroit Lions stock watch: Ziggy Ansah is back, Greg Robinson struggles," 19 Sep. 2017
Back Porch: The screen porch, which leads out to the rear deck, is the perfect place to relax with a book or socialize over a glass of iced tea.

— carolyn weber, ELLE Decor, "The New Look of Tradition," 5 July 2012
Orr’s stop in in the third quarter on a 4th-and-1 at the 8-yard line iced the game with less than three minutes remaining.

— stefan stevenson, star-telegram, "TCU defense showing familiar dominance of Horned Frogs’ glory past," 14 Oct. 2017
Benjamin was seen icing his knee on the sideline and later walked to the locker room.

— profootballdoc, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Kelvin Benjamin out for today, not for season," 24 Sep. 2017
One play after rushing for 15 yards from the Raiders own 11 in their 38-34 win at Joe Yenni Stadium, Jackson broke free for a 62-yard gain that put Rummel in scoring position to help ice the game.

— jim derry, NOLA.com, "Who should be named South Shore Player of Week 3 (Sept. 14-16)?," 18 Sep. 2017
Harrison Delbridge added a rip from distance in the 67th minute, and Kenney Walker's free-kick goal five minutes later iced the game for Cincinnati at 4-1.

— patrick brennan, Cincinnati.com, "FC Cincinnati boosts USL playoff standing with 4-2 win," 16 Sep. 2017

First Known Use of ice

15th century

ice Synonyms

Synonyms

assure, cinch, guarantee, guaranty, ensure, insure, secure

Related Words

attest, certify, vouch, warrant, witness; pledge, promise, swear

Near Antonyms

enfeeble, undermine, weaken

Ice

abbreviation

Definition of Ice

Iceland

ICE

abbreviation

Definition of ICE

1 Immigration and Customs Enforcement

In March 2003, the Homeland Security Act set into motion what would be the single-largest government reorganization since the creation of the Department of Defense. One of the agencies in the new Department of Homeland Security was the Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, now known as U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement or ICE.
—www.ice.gov/history

2 in case of emergency

Enter an ICE (in case of emergency) listing in the address book of your cell phone. Place the ICE acronym next to a person who can assist emergency workers if any important medical decisions need to be made.
—Andrew Weil

3 internal combustion engine

4 International Cultural Exchange

Other Automotive Terms

articulated, block, choke, clutch, diesel, neutral, transmission

ICE Defined for English Language Learners

ice

noun

Definition of ice for English Language Learners

: frozen water
: a sheet of frozen water
: cubes or pieces of ice

ice

verb

Definition of ice for English Language Learners

: to make (something) cold with ice
: to cover (something, such as a cake) with icing
: to make winning or getting (something) certain

ICE Defined for Kids

ice

noun \ ˈīs \

Definition of ice for Students

1 : frozen water

2 : a sheet of frozen water

She skated out onto the ice.

3 : a substance like ice

Ammonia ice is found in the rings of Saturn.

4 : a frozen dessert usually made with sweetened fruit juice

ice

verb

Definition of ice for Students

iced; icing

1 : to coat or become coated with ice

The roads iced up.

2 : to chill with ice

Ice the glasses.

3 : to cover with icing

Medical Dictionary

ice

noun \ ˈīs \

medical Definition of ice

1 : frozen water

2 : crystal meth

Law Dictionary

ICE

abbreviation

legal Definition of ICE

Immigration and Customs Enforcement

Learn More about ice

See words that rhyme with ice Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for ice Spanish Central: Translation of ice Nglish: Translation of ice for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of ice for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about ice

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ice

Definition of ice

iceless

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Origin and Etymology of ice

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ice

Definition of ice

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ice Synonyms

Synonyms

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Near Antonyms

Ice

Definition of Ice

ICE

Definition of ICE

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ICE Defined for English Language Learners

ice

Definition of ice for English Language Learners

ice

Definition of ice for English Language Learners

ICE Defined for Kids

ice

Definition of ice for Students

ice

Definition of ice for Students

Medical Dictionary

ice

medical Definition of ice

Law Dictionary

ICE

legal Definition of ICE

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