Refrigerate: meaning, definitions and examples

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refrigerate

 

[ rɪˈfrɪdʒ.ɪ.keɪt ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

food storage

To refrigerate means to cool or store food or other perishable items in a refrigerator. This process slows down the growth of bacteria and helps in preserving the freshness of the items for a longer period.

Synonyms

chill, cool, freeze

Examples of usage

  • You should refrigerate the leftovers to avoid spoilage.
  • Make sure to refrigerate the salad dressing after opening.
  • It's important to refrigerate dairy products to maintain their quality.

Translations

Translations of the word "refrigerate" in other languages:

🇵🇹 refrigerar

🇮🇳 ठंडा करना

🇩🇪 kühlen

🇮🇩 mendinginkan

🇺🇦 охолоджувати

🇵🇱 schłodzić

🇯🇵 冷やす

🇫🇷 réfrigérer

🇪🇸 refrigerar

🇹🇷 soğutmak

🇰🇷 냉장하다

🇸🇦 تبريد

🇨🇿 chladit

🇸🇰 ochladzovať

🇨🇳 冷藏

🇸🇮 hladiti

🇮🇸 kæla

🇰🇿 салқындату

🇬🇪 გაგრილების

🇦🇿 soyutmaq

🇲🇽 refrigerar

Etymology

The word 'refrigerate' originates from the Latin word 'refrigerare', meaning 'to cool again'. It combines 're-' (again) and 'frigus' (cold). The term began to appear in English in the early 19th century as advancements in refrigeration technology allowed for the invention of mechanical refrigerators. Over time, the usage of the term expanded from just cooling food to including any process that involves reducing temperature to preserve items. The introduction of household refrigerators in the 20th century significantly transformed food storage practices, leading to the widespread use of the verb in both domestic and commercial contexts.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #24,376, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.