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

• 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

Stack and chill: Fill and frost the cake, chill until firm, then wrap and refrigerate up to one day ahead of serving. —Southern Living Test Kitchen, Southern Living, 24 June 2024

Back in the ‘80s, the prosecution and law enforcement lost evidence, including blood, that wasn’t properly refrigerated, James said. —Alex Brizee, Idaho Statesman, 10 June 2024

In hot weather, these items should be eaten right away; if not, they should be refrigerated within an hour. —Katia Hetter, CNN, 4 July 2024

Don’t refrigerate a handful of produce picks, but do be sure to chill the majority. —Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 June 2024

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

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