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

Select fresh cherries by shopping locally, since supermarket cherries may have been refrigerated, which can reduce seed viability. — Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 27 June 2026

Dust with flour, wrap and refrigerate 30 minutes. — Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 26 June 2026

Turn the bag to evenly distribute the marinade, then refrigerate for at least 2 hours or up to 24 hours, turning the bag once or twice. — Lynda Balslev, Mercury News, 23 June 2026

The cake can be covered tightly and stored at room temperature for up to two days or refrigerated up to four days. — Erin Merhar, Southern Living, 23 June 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