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

The rolls can be assembled and refrigerated for up to 1 day before baking. —The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Dec. 2025

Because the process needs only a microfluidic setup without any use of a centrifuge, mass manufacturing becomes simpler and more cost-effective, and produces formulations that, once refrigerated, remain stable for four months. —New Atlas, 30 Dec. 2025

Fresh celery juice can be kept refrigerated and covered for three to four days. —Hannah Coakley, Verywell Health, 30 Dec. 2025

This step can be prepared in advance, and the stock can be cooled and refrigerated for up to 24 hours. —Lynda Balslev, Mercury News, 30 Dec. 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