refrigerator

noun

re·​frig·​er·​a·​tor ri-ˈfri-jə-ˌrā-tər 

: something that refrigerates

especially : a room or appliance for keeping food or other items cool

Examples of refrigerator in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Kitchen priorities, hit sink handles, countertops, drawer and refrigerator handles, switches, trash can lids and appliances. — Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 6 Nov. 2026

For decades, chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and other ozone-depleting compounds were widely used in aerosol sprays, foams, air conditioners, and refrigerators, causing significant reductions in ozone levels. — Dan Peck, ABC News, 4 Nov. 2026

Spills should be cleaned up immediately and refrigerators should be cleaned regularly, the FDA said. — Sacbee.com, 4 Nov. 2026

Dusty coils can interfere with heat dissipation and may reduce refrigerator efficiency. — Brigitt Earley, Martha Stewart, 4 Nov. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1611, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing refrigerator

• refrigerator magnet

Rhymes for refrigerator

• accelerator
• accumulator
• adjudicator
• administrator
• appropriator
• articulator
• attenuator
• bronchodilator
• collaborator
• communicator
• conciliator
• cooperator

Video

Why is there a 'd' in 'fridge' but not in 'refrigerator'?

English sometimes does not follow the path you expect. Like when refrigerator is shortened to fridge. Serenity Carr explains how the latter ended up spelled the way it is.

Transcript

Why is there a D in fridge but not in refrigerator? As a general rule, a G at the end of a word sounds like the G in flag and hog. Anywhere else in a word, it can sound like either gesture or forget. The G in refrigerator follows this rule. If we shortened refrigerator to fridge we're left with F-R-I-G. But wouldn't that rhyme with sprig? The spelling with a D most likely came into use because English speakers wanted it to follow the pattern of other familiar words, like bridge, ridge and smidge.

Kids Definition

refrigerator

noun

re·​frig·​er·​a·​tor ri-ˈfrij-ə-ˌrāt-ər 

: a device or room for keeping articles (as food) cool