cooler

noun

cool·​er ˈkü-lər How to pronounce cooler (audio)
1
: one that cools: such as
a
: a container for cooling liquids
2
: lockup, jail
especially : a cell for violent or unmanageable prisoners
3
: an iced drink usually with an alcoholic beverage as a base

Examples of cooler in a Sentence

The sodas are in the cooler. plea-bargained to avoid spending time in the cooler
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Yes, even in a cooler for hours on the way to your mother-in-law’s house. Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 25 May 2025 Dutton-family enforcer Rip Wheeler (Cole Hauser) opened a cooler with an agitated rattlesnake onto the unsuspecting Roarke, who was bitten in the face and dramatically died from the venom. Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 25 May 2025 The trend started with displays on the tops of AIO liquid coolers. Pcmag Staff, PC Magazine, 24 May 2025 The fish was presented on a bed of ice cubes made out of sugar, which sat inside a real YETI cooler atop fake grass. Ashlyn Robinette, People.com, 21 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for cooler

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1550, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of cooler was circa 1550

Cite this Entry

“Cooler.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cooler. Accessed 29 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

cooler

noun
cool·​er ˈkü-lər How to pronounce cooler (audio)
: a container for keeping food or drink cool

More from Merriam-Webster on cooler

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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