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

Try not to overheat, as this can cause a loss of fragrance. Allow the water to cool, then remove the petals and refrigerate the water. —Merve Ceylan, Health, 7 Apr. 2025

To increase sweetness of Hylocereus types, refrigerate them before consumption. —Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 5 Apr. 2025

Make the dressing ahead, and refrigerate it up to three days. —Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 1 Apr. 2025

To extend the life, refrigerated it for up a couple more days. —Katlyn Moncada, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Mar. 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