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

Another amendment Senate Democrats proposed was that if a homeowner could provide medical proof that the utility is medically necessary, like refrigerating medication, then a utility company can’t shut down the service, Pol said. —Alexandra Kukulka, Chicago Tribune, 23 Mar. 2026

Serve or refrigerate for up to 2 hours before serving. —Cathy Thomas, Oc Register, 23 Mar. 2026

May be made ahead and refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3 days. —C.w. Cameron, AJC.com, 22 Mar. 2026

The cake can be made and refrigerated at this point, loosely covered with foil. —Mary Ann Esposito, Boston Herald, 18 Mar. 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