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

These are prepped and preserved in a solution and refrigerated to ensure optimal viability at the next stage of the operation. —Wyles Daniel, Kansas City Star, 17 Feb. 2026

Once cool, transfer the rice pudding to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. —Robin Miller, AZCentral.com, 13 Feb. 2026

The Best Way To Store Opened Jam While unopened jars of jam can be safely stored in a cool, dry cupboard or pantry, opened jars should always be refrigerated. —Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 12 Feb. 2026

Refrigeration Some bladder control supplements must strictly be refrigerated or do best when they’re refrigerated, as with other supplements. —Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 11 Feb. 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