cryopreservation

noun

cryo·​pres·​er·​va·​tion ˌkrī-ō-ˌpre-zər-ˈvā-shən 

: preservation (as of cells) by subjection to extremely low temperatures

cryopreserve

ˌkrī-ō-pri-ˈzərv 

ˈkrī-ō-pri-ˌzərv

transitive verb

Examples of cryopreservation in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Viagen’s expertise in cryopreservation – reviving frozen genetic material for cloning – is vital to protecting and expanding endangered species, said Matt James, Colossal’s chief animal officer, in a news release announcing the acquisition. —Mike Snider, USA Today, 4 Nov. 2025

Only eight states require Medicaid to cover infertility treatment or cryopreservation. —Madison Chapman, Time, 30 Oct. 2025

Using cryopreservation also allows for more comprehensive testing and quality control before treatment, and more precise dosing of the chemotherapy used to prepare patients for the gene therapy. —New Atlas, 16 Oct. 2025

Researchers were pleasantly surprised to find that spaceflight did not affect how well the germ cells sustained themselves through cryopreservation, underlining an important option for future human use. —Jessica Rendall, Space.com, 29 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

cryo- + preservation

First Known Use

1965, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for cryopreservation

• abbreviation
• abomination
• acceleration
• accentuation
• accommodation
• accreditation
• acculturation
• accumulation
• acetylation
• adjudication
• administration
• adulteration

Medical Definition

cryopreservation

noun

cryo·​pres·​er·​va·​tion -ˌprez-ər-ˈvā-shən 

: preservation (as of sperm or eggs) by subjection to extremely low temperatures

cryopreserve

-pri-ˈzərv 

transitive verb

cryopreserved; cryopreserving