freeze-dry

verb

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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

Time Traveler
The first known use of freeze-dry was in 1949

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Freeze-dry.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/freeze-dry. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.

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
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

More from Merriam-Webster on freeze-dry

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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