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

Within two hours of serving, food should be packed up and refrigerated. —Nicole Villalpando, Austin American-Statesman, 19 Dec. 2024

Make sure to refrigerate leftovers at 40 degrees Fahrenheit or colder within this time period to prevent food poisoning, FoodSafety.gov advises. —Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 28 Nov. 2024

Allow to refrigerate for four hours to set fully before serving. —Angelica Stabile, Fox News, 16 Dec. 2024

For covering the dough balls, which forms the crinkle design. Make-Ahead Suggestions The cookie dough can be made and refrigerated, covered, in an airtight container for up to eight hours before forming and baking. —Micah A Leal, Southern Living, 15 Dec. 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