defrost
Americanverb (used with object)
-
to remove the frost or ice from.
to defrost a refrigerator; to defrost the windshield of a car.
-
to thaw or partially thaw (frozen food).
verb (used without object)
-
to become free of ice or frost.
The refrigerator defrosted quickly.
-
to thaw, as frozen food.
The meat took two hours to defrost.
verb
-
to make or become free of frost or ice
-
to thaw, esp through removal from a refrigerator
Etymology
Origin of defrost
Explanation
To defrost something is to thaw it, or bring it from a state of being frozen to room temperature. You can defrost frozen shrimp by running them under cool water for several minutes. You have to defrost frozen food before you can eat it, and often before you can properly cook it. You might also need to defrost your icy windshield in the winter before you can drive your car. The word defrost comes from the Old English forst — before the 15th century, the words forst and frost were used interchangeably. When it's combined with de-, "off, away, or undo," it means "free of ice or frost."
Vocabulary lists containing defrost
Florida's B.E.S.T. Common Prefixes: de-
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Spelling Practice 1, Unit 5
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Monday morning felt noticeably different for commuters, with milder conditions meaning there was no need to scrape or defrost vehicles for the first time this year.
From BBC • Jan. 12, 2026
Transport officials have deployed thousands of employees to shovel snow and defrost railways and roads.
From New York Times • Feb. 5, 2024
Once the patient is ready to have a baby, doctors will defrost the eggs, fertilize them, and put the embryos back into the person’s uterus.
From Slate • May 7, 2023
We are treated to a scene of Tom's taking his mousse out and saying it looks good but needs to defrost for 30 minutes.
From Salon • Apr. 21, 2023
In the middle of the night, Sofya and the others stumbled out of bed and began to defrost the planes by spraying them with hot water from a tank truck.
From "A Thousand Sisters" by Elizabeth Wein
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
