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 dry brine works by seasoning the outside of the bird all over, then refrigerating it for at least 12 hours, and preferably a day or two. —Susan Selasky, Freep.com, 13 Nov. 2025

Perishable foods should be refrigerated within two hours of cooking — or within one hour if the air temperature is above 90 F (32 C). —Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 12 Nov. 2025

Cooked or prepared sweet potatoes should be refrigerated or frozen. —Brittany Lubeck, Verywell Health, 10 Nov. 2025

Cover leftovers tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to three days. —Amanda Holstein, Southern Living, 9 Nov. 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