cryogenic

adjective

cryo·​gen·​ic ˌkrī-ə-ˈje-nik 

1

a

: of or relating to the production of very low temperatures

b

: being or relating to very low temperatures

2

a

: requiring or involving the use of a cryogenic temperature

b

: requiring cryogenic storage

c

: suitable for storage of a cryogenic substance

cryogenically

ˌkrī-ə-ˈje-ni-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Examples of cryogenic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Liquid hydrogen has almost twice the energy density—although still only a third as much as gasoline—and the logistics and equipment required to support cryogenic refueling at the racetrack were much less than with pressurized hydrogen. —Jonathan M. Gitlin, Ars Technica, 5 June 2024

In the coming months, the capsule and module will join the full SLS stack in the VAB, sitting atop the rocket's interim cryogenic propulsion stage. —Josh Dinner, Space.com, 25 Mar. 2025

The company is the world’s largest manufacturer of cryogenic storage systems, and provides specialty courier, biostorage and sample processing services. —Lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 24 Mar. 2025

Many past infrared telescopes used cryogenic coolant to chill their detectors, but this is a finite resource that gradually boils off in space, limiting mission lifetimes. —Ars Technica, 13 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

cryo- + -genic

First Known Use

1896, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for cryogenic

• asthenic
• edenic
• eugenic
• hellenic
• myasthenic
• naphthenic
• transgenic
• allergenic
• androgenic
• antigenic
• authigenic
• autogenic

Medical Definition

cryogenic

adjective

cryo·​gen·​ic ˌkrī-ə-ˈjen-ik 

1

a

: of or relating to the production of very low temperatures

b

: being or relating to very low temperatures

2

: requiring or involving the use of a cryogenic temperature

cryogenic surgery

cryogenic arterial thrombolysis

cryogenically

-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb