piping
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
n.a system of tubes or pipes that carry water, gas, or other liquids through a building.
n.a system of pipes or tubes, collectively referred to as pipework, used for the conveyance of fluids or gases.
Simple“The old house needs all new piping because the water pressure is very low.”
In context“Engineers inspected the industrial piping for signs of corrosion before authorizing the high-pressure steam test.”
- 02 C1 Advanced
n.a thin strip of folded fabric used to decorate the edges of clothes or furniture.
n.a type of trim or embellishment consisting of a strip of folded fabric, often containing a cord, sewn into a seam to define the edges.
Simple“The navy blue jacket looked very elegant with white piping along the collar.”
In context“The upholsterer suggested a contrasting piping to accentuate the geometric lines of the Art Deco armchair.”
- 03 B2 Upper Intermediate
n.the act of using a small bag to squeeze icing into decorative shapes on a cake.
n.the technique of extruding icing, frosting, or dough through a nozzle to create decorative patterns.
Simple“She finished the birthday cake with some delicate pink piping around the base.”
In context“Mastering consistent pressure is essential for professional piping, especially when creating intricate floral patterns with royal icing.”
- 04 C2 Proficiency
n.the high-pitched sound made by a musical pipe or a small bird.
n.the act of playing on a pipe or the thin, high-pitched sound produced by such an instrument or a shrill voice.
Simple“We could hear the distant piping of a flute coming from the woods.”
In context“The thin piping of the shepherd's reed echoed through the valley, a lonely sound against the vast silence of the mountains.”
- 05 C1 Advanced
adj.having a very high, thin sound.
adj.characterized by a high-pitched or shrill quality; often used to describe voices or bird calls.
Simple“The child spoke in a piping voice that was easy to hear over the crowd.”
In context“The dawn chorus was led by the piping calls of the oystercatchers along the shoreline.”