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

• 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

Storage instructions often recommend refrigerating maple syrup after opening to preserve its quality. —Brittany Lubeck, Verywell Health, 25 June 2025

How to Store Shrimp Spring Rolls Cover plate of spring rolls with a damp kitchen towel and refrigerate up to 4 hours, or individually wrap spring rolls in plastic wrap; refrigerate up to 2 days. —Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 June 2025

Cheese can be cubed and refrigerated several days in advance, as can the marinated artichokehearts. —Cathy Thomas, Oc Register, 16 June 2025

After being left at room temperature for a couple of days, they are finally refrigerated to allow the flavors to further develop. —Lauren Manaker Ms, Health, 11 June 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