freezing point

noun

, Physical Chemistry.

1. the temperature at which a liquid freezes:

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

freezing point

noun

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

freezing point

/ 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

freezing point

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

Notes

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of freezing point¹

First recorded in 1740–50

Example Sentences

Below the ice, temperatures average –68° Celsius, far past the freezing point of water, even if the lakes are a brine containing a healthy amount of salt, which lowers water’s freezing point.

From Science News

On his original scale, however, 100 degrees was the freezing point.

From Time

The water mass from there was near the bottom of the cavity, about 500 meters deep, and was both less salty than the surrounding seawater and several degrees Celsius warmer than the freezing point.

From Science News

Scientists have found insects and spiders in Alaska that create antifreeze proteins in their bodies that lower the freezing point of water by a few degrees.

From Popular-Science

Officially, the freezing point has been reached here on only five days this month.

From Washington Post

That it is a sub-tropical summer resort with weather rarely nearing the freezing point is the most obvious.

From The Daily Beast

One day in April the thermometer suddenly rose to eighteen above the freezing-point of Fahrenheit.

From Project Gutenberg

When they start downward they have, as observations show, a temperature not much above the freezing point of salt water.

From Project Gutenberg

On the 10th, the mercury was fourteen degrees below the freezing-point in London.

From Project Gutenberg

I have often seen the temperature in the Siberian steppes fall to more than forty degrees below freezing point!

From Project Gutenberg

It is necessary only that the temperature should be kept constantly and safely above the freezing point.

From Project Gutenberg