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

After adding the blueberry layer, simply cover and refrigerate for four hours or overnight to let the layers set. — Marianne Williams, Southern Living, 15 Aug. 2026

Most vaccines, including the tetanus-diphtheria jab used in the trial, must be refrigerated or frozen. — Paige Bruton, semafor.com, 10 Aug. 2026

Store bananas at room temperature to ripen, then refrigerate them once ripe to slow browning and extend freshness. — Olivia McIntosh, Martha Stewart, 10 Aug. 2026

Recipe notes This salad can be made up to one day ahead and refrigerated in an airtight container. — Tribune News Service, Baltimore Sun, 6 Aug. 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