variants
or less commonly flash-freeze
flash froze also flash-froze
ˈflash-ˈfrōz 
; flash frozen also flash-frozen
ˈflash-ˈfrō-zᵊn
; flash freezing also flash-freezing; flash freezes also flash-freezes
; flash frozen also flash-frozen
ˈflash-ˈfrō-zᵊn
; flash freezing also flash-freezing; flash freezes also flash-freezes
: to freeze rapidly
The physician then inserts a specialized catheter through the endoscope, selects the targeted area and sprays liquid nitrogen to flash freeze the tissue.—
Business Wire
Business Wire
especially
: to freeze something (such as food) quickly to minimize the formation of ice crystals
Large catcher-processor vessels that flash freeze shrimp whole … account for the majority of the shrimp catch in Alaska. —Santi Roberts
Santi Roberts The farm stand offers its own produce … ; … flash-frozen wild salmon; local ice cream; and a variety of locally made dressings, honey and condiments. —Maureen Sullivan
Maureen Sullivan
variants
or less commonly flash-freeze
plural flash freezes also flash-freezes
: a rapid drop in atmospheric temperature to below the freezing point causing water on the ground to quickly become ice
Temperatures were expected to plummet on Thursday morning leading to a flash freeze.—Robert Pore
Robert PoreIt occurs when there's a rapid drop in temperatures causing a quick freeze of water already on the ground from rain or melted snow. A flash freeze is different from freezing rain, said Becky Kern, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Valley.—Michael O'Connor
Michael O'Connor
Examples of flash freeze in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the WebDrew Dawson, Journal Sentinel, 26 Feb. 2024
However, as the oceans warm and annual sea ice expansion happens later and later, scientists have found some narwhals are delaying their journey, risking becoming trapped in sea ice with no openings to breathe through if the ice flash freezes in the fall.
—Angela Dewan, CNN, 12 Feb. 2024
Snow is expected to decrease around 6 p.m. Wednesday, and driving conditions will be better on Thursday, though there is a risk of flash freezes causing icy roadways, the weather service said.
—Bay Area News Group, The Mercury News, 10 Jan. 2024
Frozen fruits and vegetables, for instance, can be flash frozen within hours of being harvested at peak ripeness, allowing those nutrients to be sealed in, Rahaf Al Bochi, RDN, LD, owner of Olive Tree Nutrition LLC and spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, told Health.
—Michelle Pugle, Health, 12 Jan. 2024
Fishermen pack their catch in ice, brine it in near-freezing saltwater or in some cases flash freeze it to maintain freshness, but the margin for error is slim.
—The Indianapolis Star, 5 Jan. 2024
Roll the balls, and flash freeze on baking sheets until firm, then transfer to freezer-safe zip-top bags and freeze for up to three months.
—Anna Theoktisto, Southern Living, 3 Dec. 2023
Prepare the cake balls in advance: Prepare and roll the cake balls, then flash freeze and transfer to a freezer-safe zip-top bag to freeze for up to three months.
—Pam Lolley, Southern Living, 11 Nov. 2023
The garage will soon house Faith Farms’ new flash freeze operation with food aimed at Northwest Indiana’s commercial market to provide financial sustainability for the 10-year-old urban farm at 656 Carolina St., about one block south.
—Carole Carlson, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2023
Verb
The best chances to see that are south of Interstate 94 and east of Interstate 39.
Tuesday evening into Wednesday morning is when cold air will move into the area, which the National Weather Service is warning could cause flash freezes during the Wednesday morning commute.
—Drew Dawson, Journal Sentinel, 26 Feb. 2024
However, as the oceans warm and annual sea ice expansion happens later and later, scientists have found some narwhals are delaying their journey, risking becoming trapped in sea ice with no openings to breathe through if the ice flash freezes in the fall.
—Angela Dewan, CNN, 12 Feb. 2024
Snow is expected to decrease around 6 p.m. Wednesday, and driving conditions will be better on Thursday, though there is a risk of flash freezes causing icy roadways, the weather service said.
—Bay Area News Group, The Mercury News, 10 Jan. 2024
Frozen fruits and vegetables, for instance, can be flash frozen within hours of being harvested at peak ripeness, allowing those nutrients to be sealed in, Rahaf Al Bochi, RDN, LD, owner of Olive Tree Nutrition LLC and spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, told Health.
—Michelle Pugle, Health, 12 Jan. 2024
Fishermen pack their catch in ice, brine it in near-freezing saltwater or in some cases flash freeze it to maintain freshness, but the margin for error is slim.
—The Indianapolis Star, 5 Jan. 2024
Roll the balls, and flash freeze on baking sheets until firm, then transfer to freezer-safe zip-top bags and freeze for up to three months.
—Anna Theoktisto, Southern Living, 3 Dec. 2023
Prepare the cake balls in advance: Prepare and roll the cake balls, then flash freeze and transfer to a freezer-safe zip-top bag to freeze for up to three months.
—Pam Lolley, Southern Living, 11 Nov. 2023
The garage will soon house Faith Farms’ new flash freeze operation with food aimed at Northwest Indiana’s commercial market to provide financial sustainability for the 10-year-old urban farm at 656 Carolina St., about one block south.
—Carole Carlson, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'flash freeze.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Dictionary Entries Near flash freeze
Cite this Entry
“Flash freeze.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/flash%20freeze. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
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