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

Jet A has a higher freezing point -- which makes it less resistant to very low temperatures during long-haul flights.

From Barron's • May 7, 2026

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

From BBC • May 3, 2026

They also used heavy water, a form of water where the hydrogen atoms are replaced by deuterium, which gives the water a higher freezing point, and helps create the smooth structure.

From Science Daily • Feb. 12, 2024

As ice crystals start to form, the concentration of sugars and other dissolved materials in the unfrozen liquid increases, which further lowers its freezing point.

From Salon • Jul. 25, 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