refrigerant

American  

[ri-frij-er-uhnt] / rɪˈfrɪdʒ ər ənt /

adjective

1. refrigerating; cooling.

2. reducing bodily heat or fever.

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noun

1. a refrigerant agent, as a drug.

2. a liquid capable of vaporizing at a low temperature, as ammonia, used in mechanical refrigeration.

3. a cooling substance, as ice or solid carbon dioxide, used in a refrigerator.

refrigerant British  

/ rɪˈfrɪdʒərənt /

noun

1. a fluid capable of changes of phase at low temperatures: used as the working fluid of a refrigerator

2. a cooling substance, such as ice or solid carbon dioxide

3. med an agent that provides a sensation of coolness or reduces fever

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adjective

1. causing cooling or freezing

refrigerant Scientific  

/ rĭ-frĭj′ər-ənt /

1. A substance, such as ice or ammonia, used to cool something by absorbing heat from it. Refrigerants are usually substances that evaporate quickly. In the process of evaporation they draw heat from surrounding substances.

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Other Word Forms

• nonrefrigerant adjective

Etymology

Origin of refrigerant

1590–1600; < Latin refrīgerant- (stem of refrīgerāns ), present participle of refrīgerāre. See refrigerate, -ant

Example Sentences

Air source heat pumps - the most common type - suck in outdoor air and pass it over tubes containing refrigerant fluids.

From BBC

Karman has developed a cooling system similar to the heat pumps in the average home, except its pumps use liquid carbon dioxide as refrigerant, which is circulated using rocket engine technology rather than fans.

From Los Angeles Times

Not only that, many refrigerants produce highly potent greenhouse gases, which threaten to exacerbate climate change.

From BBC

By compressing the refrigerant, you boost that heat further.

From BBC

A floor below, indoors, racks of centrifugal chillers that control the refrigerant make him smile.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• container