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

The containers were sold refrigerated and have a 12-day shelf life, with varying best by dates. —Cailey Gleeson, jsonline.com, 2 Sep. 2025

Why to Plant Perennial Seeds in Fall Seed packages often include instructions for refrigerating perennial seeds for several weeks. —Rita Pelczar, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 Sep. 2025

Plus, premade formula needs to be used within two hours if left at room temperature and 24 hours if refrigerated. —Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 1 Sep. 2025

As the sauce simmers in the slow cooker, prepare the meatballs and refrigerate them on a baking sheet until ready to use. —Patricia S York, Southern Living, 30 Aug. 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