Definition of freeze
froze
play \ˈfrōz\;frozen
play \ˈfrō-zən\;freezing
intransitive verb
1a : to become congealed into ice by coldb : to solidify as a result of abstraction of heatc : to withstand freezing the bread freezes well
2 : to become chilled with cold almost froze to death
3 : to adhere solidly by or as if by freezing pressure caused the metals to freeze
4 : to become fixed or motionless; especially : to become incapable of acting or speaking
5 : to become clogged with ice the water pipes froze
transitive verb
1a : to harden into iceb : to convert from a liquid to a solid by cold
2 : to make extremely cold : chill
3a : to act on usually destructively by frostb : to anesthetize by cold
freezingly
adverbExplore Merriam-Webster
Examples of freeze in a Sentence
The children are going to freeze out there without their coats.
The cold weather froze the water pipes.
Recent Examples of freeze from the Web
-
This month the Trump administration delayed a decision on whether to lift sanctions on Sudan, prompting Sudan’s president to order that all negotiations with the U.S. be frozen until mid-October.
-
Gently stir in whipped topping. Pour into pie shell and freeze until firm, covered, anywhere from 2-24 hours.
-
The sanctions freeze any assets in the U.S. and prevent Americans from doing business with them.
-
More than $25 million in funds were frozen, and every international bank that did business with BDA lost access to the U.S. financial system.
-
One theory is that the fighter landed on ice as the lake would have been frozen in March, and he was rescued, or had his remains recovered.
-
Lawyers for the pair filed a motion in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice this week asking that the judgment be enforced in Canada and that Khadr’s assets be frozen until payment of the Utah judgment is sorted out.
-
Credit markets froze, bankruptcies mounted, and unemployment soared.
-
On several occasions the plucky but inexperienced explorers came close to freezing to death.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'freeze.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of freeze
Middle English fresen, from Old English frēosan; akin to Old High German friosan to freeze, Latin pruina hoarfrost, Old English frost frost
freeze
Definition of freeze
1a : an act or instance of freezingb : the state of being frozen
2 : a state of weather marked by low temperature especially when below the freezing point
3 : a halt in the production, testing, and deployment of military weapons a nuclear freeze
Examples of freeze in a Sentence
The freeze destroyed many oranges.
the Midwest will experience an intense freeze later in the week
Recent Examples of freeze from the Web
-
Like when painful memories trigger a freeze and the Kill Bill soundtrack, and the only character aware of this meta-on-meta device wants to kill (Bill) himself.
-
Weekes, born and raised in Miami, started his career as an intern in the public defender’s office after a hiring freeze prevented him from becoming an air traffic controller, as planned.
-
During his first term, Obama, following the Roadmap of the Middle East Quartet, tried to secure a settlement freeze from Israel.
-
A property tax freeze has been one of Rauner's top requirements in return for signing off on tax increases.
-
Brain freezeGrab a big straw and slurp away with this cool deal from 7-Eleven.
-
The pay freeze part of the measure will expire on June 30, 2018 unless the mayor and council decide to extend it, or there is a subsequent public vote.
-
The latest issues involve a hiring freeze the council implemented over Wilson's objections and the council's decision to vote against two of Wilson's suggested appointees to the Fairhope Airport Authority.
-
Other regions suffered less but this is the second straight year of deep freezes for Burgundy, where the regional wine board said Friday in a statement that 3,000 hectares (7,400 acres) of vineyard out of a total of 28,500 hectares was affected.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'freeze.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
First Known Use of freeze
15th century
FREEZE Defined for English Language Learners
freeze
playDefinition of freeze for English Language Learners
-
: to be become a hard substance (such as ice) because of cold
-
: to be very cold
-
: to become blocked or unable to move because of ice
freeze
Definition of freeze for English Language Learners
-
: a period in which the weather is very cold : a time when temperatures are below 32°F or 0°C
-
: a stop in the increase, decrease, or change of prices or wages
FREEZE Defined for Kids
Definition of freeze for Students
froze
\ˈfrōz\;frozen
\ˈfrō-zən\;freezing
1 : to harden into or be hardened into a solid (as ice) by loss of heat freeze blueberries The river froze over.
2 : to be uncomfortably cold It's freezing in here. I'm frozen.
3 : to damage by cold The plants were frozen by heavy frost.
4 : to clog or become clogged by ice Water pipes froze overnight.
5 : to become completely still I was so startled, I froze.
Definition of freeze for Students
1 : a period of freezing weather : cold weather
2 : the state of being frozen in a deep freeze
Medical Dictionary
freeze
playMedical Definition of freeze
froze
\ˈfrōz\play ;frozen
\ˈfrōz-ən\play ;freezing
1
intransitive verb
: to become hardened into a solid (as ice) by loss of heat2a: to become chilled with cold almost froze to deathb: to anesthetize a part especially by cold
1
transitive verb
: to cause to harden into a solid (as ice) by loss of heat2: to make extremely cold : chill
3a: to act on usually destructively by frostb: to anesthetize by cold
Law Dictionary
freeze
Legal Definition of freeze
froze
frozen
freezing
1 : to cause to become fixed, immovable, unavailable, or unalterable freeze interest rates
2 : to immobilize (as by government regulation or the action of a financial institution) the expenditure, withdrawal, or exchange of freeze foreign assets
3 : to restructure (the capital of a close corporation) so that the value is reflected mostly in preferred stock rather than common stock
freeze
nounAdditional Notes on freeze
Once capital is frozen, the common shares can be transferred to the heirs of the owner without taxation while the owner continues to enjoy the income from preferred stock dividends during his or her lifetime.
Learn More about freeze
-
See words that rhyme with freeze Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for freeze Spanish Central: Translation of freeze Nglish: Translation of freeze for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of freeze for Arabic speakers
Seen and Heard
What made you want to look up freeze? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Writing? Check your grammar now!