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

During the test, teams discovered a hydrogen leak within the rocket's 212-foot core stage while fueling the vehicle with 700,000 gallons of cryogenic propellant, NASA said in a blog post. —Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 4 Feb. 2026

The Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment, hosted by the US Department of Energy’s Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory, will soon start building the world’s largest cryogenic particle detector. —Chris Young, Interesting Engineering, 4 Feb. 2026

Ground operators will exercise the full scenario of an actual mission countdown, running the clock to just 30 seconds prior to engine ignition, powering on the rocket and fully fueling its two stages with cryogenic fuels. —Josh Dinner, Space.com, 30 Jan. 2026

But most important is that teams will load SLS and Orion with more than 700,000 gallons of cryogenic propellant. —Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 Jan. 2026

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