freezing point

American  

noun

Physical Chemistry.

1. the temperature at which a liquid freezes.

   The freezing point of water is 32°F, 0°C.

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freezing point British  

noun

1. the temperature below which a liquid turns into a solid. It is equal to the melting point

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freezing point Scientific  

/ frē′zĭng /

1. The temperature at which a liquid, releasing sufficient heat, becomes a solid. For a given substance, the freezing point of its liquid form is the same as the melting point of its solid form, and depends on such factors as the purity of the substance and the surrounding pressure. The freezing point of water at a pressure of one atmosphere is 0°C (32°F); that of liquid nitrogen is −209.89°C (−345.8°F).

2. See also state of matter

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freezing point Cultural  

1. The temperature at which a liquid changes into a solid; the same temperature as the melting point. (See phases of matter.)

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Discover More

Water freezes at thirty-two degrees Fahrenheit (see also Fahrenheit) or zero degrees Celsius.

Etymology

Origin of freezing point

First recorded in 1740–50

Example Sentences

It uses Jet A, which has a higher freezing point than the Jet A1 supplied here.

From BBC • May 3, 2026

The WSV said it's difficult to say when the river will become fully navigable, as temperatures are expected to drop below freezing point again.

From Barron's • Jan. 19, 2026

Sugar has the physical function in slushies of decreasing the freezing point of water.

From Salon • Feb. 28, 2024

A dash of greenhouse effect is useful -- without it, Earth would have an average temperature below the freezing point of water, looking like a ball covered with ice and hostile to life.

From Science Daily • Dec. 18, 2023

The global temperature of the Earth would be below the freezing point of water if not for the greenhouse effect.

From "Cosmos" by Carl Sagan