Defrost: meaning, definitions and examples

Use when referring to removing ice or frost, usually from a refrigerator, freezer, or food items. Common in everyday household settings.

• I need to defrost the chicken before cooking it.
• The microwave has a defrost setting for frozen food.

Use when referring to the process of turning a solid into a liquid, generally due to heat. Commonly applies to substances like ice, snow, chocolate, or butter.

• The snow will melt quickly in the sunlight.
• Melt the chocolate in a double boiler before adding it to the recipe.

Similar to 'defrost', but used more broadly to indicate warming up frozen items, as well as in natural settings where snow and ice are melting.

• Make sure to thaw the turkey in the fridge before Thanksgiving.
• The lake starts to thaw in early spring.

Use when talking specifically about removing ice from vehicles, aircraft, or other mechanical surfaces, often applying to safety procedures.

• The crew is working to de-ice the airplane wings before takeoff.
• It's important to de-ice your car windows on a frosty morning.

Similar to the first 'defrost', often in household settings related to appliances or food. It can sometimes be confusing due to repetition in the list.

• We should defrost the microwave before using it again.
• I forgot to defrost the steaks for tonight's dinner.

Commonly used in transportation, especially aviation, to describe the process of removing ice from vehicles, aircraft, or other surfaces.

• The ground crew is de-icing the plane before takeoff.
• De-icing the car's windshield took longer than I expected.

Describes the process of turning something frozen into its unfrozen state naturally or through gentle warming. Usually applied to food or natural events like ice melting in spring.

• The meat is thawing in the sink.
• Spring is coming, and all the snow is thawing.