refrigerate

verb

re·​frig·​er·​ate ri-ˈfri-jə-ˌrāt 

refrigerated; refrigerating

transitive verb

: to make or keep cold or cool

specifically : to freeze or chill for preservation

foods that should be refrigerated

refrigeration

ri-ˌfri-jə-ˈrā-shən 

noun

Synonyms of refrigerate

• freeze
• chill
• cool

Examples of refrigerate in a Sentence

Refrigerate the mixture for an hour before serving.

refrigerate the cake after you frost it so that the frosting doesn't melt

Recent Examples on the Web

Peeled eggs should be refrigerated and eaten within a few days. —Sarah Jampel, Bon Appetit Magazine, 31 Mar. 2026

Be sure to use shelf-stable gnocchi not refrigerated or frozen gnocchi in this recipe. —Cathy Thomas, Oc Register, 30 Mar. 2026

The dishes get packaged and labeled, then refrigerated before being delivered to the food bank the following morning. —Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 27 Mar. 2026

Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or even overnight. —Georgeanne Brennan, Mercury News, 26 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Latin refrigeratus, past participle of refrigerare, from re- + frigerare to cool, from frigor-, frigus cold — more at frigid

First Known Use

1534, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for refrigerate

• abbreviate
• accelerate
• accommodate
• accumulate
• acuminate
• adjudicate
• adulterate
• affiliate
• agglomerate
• agglutinate
• alleviate
• amalgamate

Kids Definition

refrigerate

verb

re·​frig·​er·​ate ri-ˈfrij-ə-ˌrāt 

refrigerated; refrigerating

: to make or keep cold or cool

especially : to freeze or chill food to preserve it

refrigeration

-ˌfrij-ə-ˈrā-shən 

noun