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

Sauces with fresh ingredients or high water content (like sambal oelek or sweet chili) should be refrigerated to prevent spoilage. —Taylor Tobin, Southern Living, 12 June 2026

Scoop this into a bowl and refrigerate for 15 minutes. —Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 June 2026

Using tongs, toss well to evenly coat, then spread the noodles into an even layer and refrigerate for 10 minutes. —The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 June 2026

Transfer to a freezer bag, remove excess air, seal, and refrigerate at least 6 hours and up to 24 hours. —Kelly McCarthy, ABC News, 9 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