refrigerate

verb

re·​frig·​er·​ate ri-ˈfri-jə-ˌrāt How to pronounce refrigerate (audio)
refrigerated; refrigerating

transitive verb

: to make or keep cold or cool
specifically : to freeze or chill for preservation
foods that should be refrigerated
refrigeration noun

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 For large whole chickens or turkey, Carothers recommends cutting the bird into pieces or slicing meat before refrigerating it to ensure that all of the meat quickly cools. Ann Maloney, Washington Post, 22 July 2024 Listeria is not killed by refrigerating but reheating the product, the CDC says, to high enough temperature before eating will kill germs that may be on the meat products. Susan Selasky, Detroit Free Press, 26 July 2024 If chicken is thawed in the refrigerator, it can be kept refrigerated for another two days or even refrozen. Ann Maloney, Washington Post, 22 July 2024 Just make sure to refrigerate the container when you're done and clean it often. Julian Chokkattu, WIRED, 17 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for refrigerate 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'refrigerate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of refrigerate was in 1534

Dictionary Entries Near refrigerate

Cite this Entry

“Refrigerate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/refrigerate. Accessed 19 Aug. 2024.

Kids Definition

refrigerate

verb
re·​frig·​er·​ate ri-ˈfrij-ə-ˌrāt How to pronounce refrigerate (audio)
refrigerated; refrigerating
: to make or keep cold or cool
especially : to freeze or chill food to preserve it
refrigeration noun

More from Merriam-Webster on refrigerate

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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