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

• 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

Cut large items such as whole roasts or hams into smaller parts before refrigerating; legs and wings may be left whole. —Mike Snider, USA Today, 25 May 2025

Expanding training within our Shore Power program provides an approximate 25% reduction in diesel fuel consumption each year by using electric power to refrigerate delivery trucks during loading, which can take up to five hours. —Gary Occhiogrosso, Forbes.com, 23 May 2025

But be careful not to refrigerate rock hard avocados—this can affect the natural ripening process and their texture. —Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 23 May 2025

The sauce's label advises consumers to refrigerate the bottle after opening. —Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 13 Apr. 2025

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