freeze-dry

verb

ˈfrēz-ˈdrī 

freeze-dried; freeze-drying; freeze-dries

transitive verb

: to dry (something, such as food) in a frozen state under high vacuum especially for preservation

Examples of freeze-dry in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Pet food covered by the legislation includes kibble, wet food, and fresh, frozen, and freeze-dried options. — Christopher Edwards, PEOPLE, 4 May 2026

The brew is concentrated and dried into coffee crystals through freeze-drying or spray-drying. — Alexandra Emanuelli, Southern Living, 21 Aug. 2025

In fact the entire secretome is lyophilized, or freeze-dried, to be reconstituted at the medical provider’s office. — Jessica Ourisman, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1949, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for freeze-dry

• abscissae
• adonai
• alibi
• alkali
• alumni
• amoebae
• amplify
• annuli
• beautify
• brachii
• butterfly
• calculi

Kids Definition

freeze-dry

verb

ˈfrēz-ˈdrī

: to dry in a vacuum while frozen in order to preserve

freeze-dried foods

Medical Definition

freeze-dry

transitive verb

ˈfrēz-ˈdrī 

freeze-dried; freeze-drying

: to dry and preserve (as food, vaccines, or tissue) in a frozen state under high vacuum

freeze-dried adjective

freeze-drying noun