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

In 2024, exclusive photos obtained by PEOPLE showed their locker room lined with red Yeti Tundra Haul wheeled coolers. —Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 21 Dec. 2025

Five live roaches were spread among the kitchen handwash sink, a wall over clean pans, a wall by the ice machine; and the area behind a flip-top cooler. —David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 19 Dec. 2025

One piece of cheesecake stored on the stand in display cooler was measured outside of proper holding temperature. —Sacbee.com, 19 Dec. 2025

The two units that separate the cockpit from the helm station have been used to create an area for cocktail prep, which is decked out with bar accessories, a drawer refrigerator, a sink, a worktop, and an insulated cooler. —Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 18 Dec. 2025

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