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

Transfer to a prepared baking dish and bake right away, or cover and refrigerate for an easy weekend or holiday morning treat. — Erin Merhar, Southern Living, 20 Sep. 2026

How to Store and Reheat Chicken Nuggets These chicken nuggets can be refrigerated for up to four days or frozen for up to three months. — Martha Stewart, 19 Sep. 2026

Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, and up to 24 hours. — ABC News, 17 Sep. 2026

Transfer to a fresh container covered with wet towels and some ice, then refrigerate until ready to use. — Claire Wadsworth, Bon Appetit Magazine, 1 Sep. 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