defrost

American  

[dih-frawst, -frost] / dɪˈfrɔst, -ˈfrɒst /

verb (used with object)

1. to remove the frost or ice from.

   to defrost a refrigerator; to defrost the windshield of a car.

2. to thaw or partially thaw (frozen food).

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verb (used without object)

1. to become free of ice or frost.

   The refrigerator defrosted quickly.

2. to thaw, as frozen food.

   The meat took two hours to defrost.

defrost British  

/ diːˈfrɒst /

verb

1. to make or become free of frost or ice

2. to thaw, esp through removal from a refrigerator

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Etymology

Origin of defrost

First recorded in 1890–95; de- + frost

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."

Example Sentences

Just make sure to defrost your lobster in the fridge overnight before coating it in mayo or slathering it in hot, melted butter.

From Salon • Sep. 1, 2024

Transport officials have deployed thousands of employees to shovel snow and defrost railways and roads.

From New York Times • Feb. 5, 2024

The worst part of cooking your Thanksgiving turkey is waiting for it to defrost.

From Slate • Nov. 20, 2023

So, how do you break the ice in a half-frozen city full of people unsure how to defrost?

From Seattle Times • Feb. 14, 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

Related Words

• thaw