refrigerate

verb

re·​frig·​er·​ate ri-ˈfri-jə-ˌrāt 

refrigerated; refrigerating

transitive verb

: to make or keep cold or cool

specifically : to freeze or chill for preservation

foods that should be refrigerated

refrigeration

ri-ˌfri-jə-ˈrā-shən 

noun

Synonyms

• freeze
• chill
• cool

Examples of refrigerate in a Sentence

Refrigerate the mixture for an hour before serving.

refrigerate the cake after you frost it so that the frosting doesn't melt

Recent Examples on the Web

From how food is grown, processed, and packaged, to how it’s refrigerated and delivered, nearly every step is fossil fuel-based. —Errol Schweizer, Forbes.com, 7 July 2025

They can be refrigerated airtight for up to one week. —Cathy Thomas, Oc Register, 7 July 2025

Do not refrigerate tomatoes (even fully ripe ones) as the flavor deteriorates, and green tomatoes need warmer temperatures to ripen. —Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 5 July 2025

Beneficial nematodes and a few other biocontrols can be refrigerated for a few days. —Rita Perwich, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

Latin refrigeratus, past participle of refrigerare, from re- + frigerare to cool, from frigor-, frigus cold — more at frigid

First Known Use

1534, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for refrigerate

• abbreviate
• accelerate
• accommodate
• accumulate
• acuminate
• adjudicate
• adulterate
• affiliate
• agglomerate
• agglutinate
• alleviate
• amalgamate

Kids Definition

refrigerate

verb

re·​frig·​er·​ate ri-ˈfrij-ə-ˌrāt 

refrigerated; refrigerating

: to make or keep cold or cool

especially : to freeze or chill food to preserve it

refrigeration

-ˌfrij-ə-ˈrā-shən 

noun