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

Serve immediately or cover again and refrigerate for up to five days. —C.w. Cameron, AJC.com, 18 Jan. 2026

Wegovy injection pens must be kept refrigerated, which can be a logistical challenge. —Sean Hashmi, EverydayHealth.com, 16 Jan. 2026

How to Store Makrut Limes The best way to store Makrut fruit is to place it in a plastic bag with holes for good air circulation, then refrigerate it, says Marquez. —Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 16 Jan. 2026

Dancers wear lei and ti leaf skirts, made from real plants and are kept refrigerated when not onstage to last up to three weeks. —Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 15 Jan. 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