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

• 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 and refrigerate up to 4 hours. —Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 May 2025

Then, pour a mixture of eggs and milk, seasoned with a touch of maple syrup, vanilla and cinnamon, over that, cover and refrigerate it overnight, letting the bread absorb the custard. —The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 May 2025

Users claim that chopping up okra, soaking it in water and refrigerating overnight before drinking it every morning boasts all sorts of benefits, from helping with pregnancy and diabetes to increasing vaginal lubrication and boosting gut health. —Hannah Yasharoff, USA Today, 5 May 2025

Fresh dog food comes either refrigerated or vacuum-sealed. —Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 25 Apr. 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