cooler

1 of 2

noun

cool·​er ˈkü-lər 

1

: one that cools: such as

a

: a container for cooling liquids

b

: refrigerator

2

: lockup, jail

especially : a cell for violent or unmanageable prisoners

3

: an iced drink usually with an alcoholic beverage as a base

cooler

2 of 2

comparative of cool entry 1

Synonyms of cooler

Noun

• penitentiary
• jail
• prison

Examples of cooler in a Sentence

Noun

The sodas are in the cooler.

plea-bargained to avoid spending time in the cooler

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Raw chicken bites were stored in the display cooler that was above 41 degrees, and there was a faucet at the 3-compartment sink that was leaking. — Joseph Hernandez, Kansas City Star, 22 Oct. 2026

Water bottles and a bucket of pickles sat on the floor inside the walk-in cooler. — David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 22 Oct. 2026

Even the sundowner snacks packed in leather coolers for game drives are extravagant. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Oct. 2026

Though afternoon highs and overnight lows remain about 10 degrees cooler for the rest of the week, the rain is expected to clear out by Friday night. — Hali Smith, Idaho Statesman, 20 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

cool entry 2 + -er entry 2

First Known Use

Noun

circa 1550, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing cooler

• cooler heads prevail
• evaporative cooler
• the cooler
• wine cooler

Rhymes for cooler

• ruler
• schooler
• schuller
• preschooler
• vestibular

Kids Definition

cooler

noun

cool·​er ˈkü-lər 

: a container for keeping food or drink cool