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 of refrigerate

• 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

Store the bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days, or refrigerate for up to five days. — Erin Merhar, Southern Living, 26 July 2026

Practice good food safety habits—such as refrigerating and thoroughly cooking eggs—to reduce the risk of food poisoning. — Amy Brownstein, Verywell Health, 23 July 2026

Violations included visibly spoiled, expired milk; selling homemade desserts without approval; and not refrigerating perishable foods properly. — Laura Daniella Sepulveda, AZCentral.com, 23 July 2026

How to Store Leftovers Leftover gratin can be refrigerated, covered in its baking dish or transferred to an airtight container, for up to four days. — Martha Stewart, 20 July 2026

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