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 of refrigerate

• 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

Simply crack the pit to extract the inner seed, refrigerate it in a moist towel for eight to 12 weeks, and plant. —Rachel Silva, Martha Stewart, 1 May 2026

Add sliced avocado to pickle brine, and refrigerate at least two hours or up to one week. —Aly Walansky, Southern Living, 30 Apr. 2026

Proper storage, like refrigerating and avoiding rinsing until use, helps extend their freshness. —Jillian Kubala, Health, 30 Apr. 2026

Keep fruit refrigerated and dry, and plan to use it within a couple of days of purchase. —Hannah Agran, Midwest Living, 29 Apr. 2026

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