cooler

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

Synonyms of cooler

• penitentiary
• jail
• prison

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

There was still a cooler full of ice and beer and seltzers on the floor. —Miguel Otárola, Denver Post, 8 Feb. 2026

Buy plenty of ice and put the beer in a cooler outside or in the garage. —Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 8 Feb. 2026

From Merrell Moab 3 hiking shoes, to Yeti coolers, to The North Face backpacks, these 54 deals are ones that are sure to fly off the shelves before February 16 actually hits—with prices starting at $7. —Amelia McBride, Travel + Leisure, 6 Feb. 2026

Temperatures can vary by elevation, time of day In early February, weather conditions across southern Arizona are typically mild during the day but cooler overnight. —Joan Meiners, AZCentral.com, 6 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

cool entry 2 + -er entry 2

First Known Use

circa 1550, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing cooler

• cooler heads prevail
• the cooler
• wine cooler

Rhymes for cooler

• jeweller
• ruler
• schooler
• schuller
• preschooler
• vestibular

Kids Definition

cooler

noun

cool·​er ˈkü-lər 

: a container for keeping food or drink cool