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

• 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

In the summer, if this is an outdoor picnic and the temperature is over 90 degrees Fahrenheit, food should be refrigerated after an hour. —Katia Hetter, CNN, 27 Nov. 2024

Yes, eggs need to be refrigerated to prevent the consumption of harmful bacteria. —Kait Hanson, Southern Living, 27 Nov. 2024

Not all eggs need to be refrigerated While eggs that are purchased at a grocery store in the United States do have to be refrigerated, eggs have a natural defense against bacteria and moisture, Steele said. —Christine Rousselle, Fox News, 11 Oct. 2024

This pie is best the day it’s made but will last up to two days, covered and refrigerated. —Martin Sorge, Chicago Tribune, 9 Oct. 2024

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

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