cryogenic

adjective

cryo·​gen·​ic ˌkrī-ə-ˈje-nik 

1

a

: of or relating to the production of very low temperatures

b

: being or relating to very low temperatures

2

a

: requiring or involving the use of a cryogenic temperature

b

: requiring cryogenic storage

c

: suitable for storage of a cryogenic substance

cryogenically

ˌkrī-ə-ˈje-ni-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Examples of cryogenic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

They're also designed to operate at cryogenic temperatures close to absolute zero (around minus 459 degrees Fahrenheit). —Kate Irwin, PCMAG, 23 Oct. 2024

Like Ripley in Alien, the hero Yuji awakens from his cryogenic sleep and quickly learns that the world has been overtaken by a species of buglike creatures known as the Blue. —Eric Vilas-Boas, Vulture, 28 Sep. 2024

Earlier this year, scientists revealed a plan to safeguard Earth’s species in a cryogenic biorepository on the moon, intended to save species in the event of a disaster on our home planet. —Rosa Rahimi, CNN, 20 Sep. 2024

Sending tissues in a cryogenic stasis to the moon is a related but much more difficult challenge. —Ayurella Horn-Muller Syris Valentine, WIRED, 31 Aug. 2024

Word History

Etymology

cryo- + -genic

First Known Use

1896, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Medical Definition

cryogenic

adjective

cryo·​gen·​ic ˌkrī-ə-ˈjen-ik 

1

a

: of or relating to the production of very low temperatures

b

: being or relating to very low temperatures

2

: requiring or involving the use of a cryogenic temperature

cryogenic surgery

cryogenic arterial thrombolysis

cryogenically

-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb