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

The oats can last, covered and refrigerated, for 3 to 4 days. —The New York Times News Service Syndicate, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Sep. 2025

Cool at room temperature for no more than 1 hour, then refrigerate or freeze. —Faye Levy, Oc Register, 9 Sep. 2025

Once cooled, place the chicken in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 2 days. —Robin Miller, AZCentral.com, 5 Sep. 2025

The containers were sold refrigerated and have a 12-day shelf life, with varying best by dates. —Cailey Gleeson, jsonline.com, 2 Sep. 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