refrigerator

American  

[ri-frij-uh-rey-ter] / rɪˈfrɪdʒ əˌreɪ tər /

noun

1. a box, room, or cabinet in which food, drink, etc., are kept cool by means of ice or mechanical refrigeration.

2. the part of a distilling apparatus that cools the volatile material, causing it to condense; condenser; rectifier.

---

refrigerator British  

/ rɪˈfrɪdʒəˌreɪtə /

noun

1. Informal word: fridge.  a chamber in which food, drink, etc, are kept cool

---

Etymology

Origin of refrigerator

First recorded in 1605–15; refrigerate + -or ²

Example Sentences

Keeping pre-cut fruit within reach in the refrigerator or placing sweets out of sight can support long-term goals without requiring constant willpower.

From Science Daily

That’s when a “college” fund becomes a “refrigerator college” fund, and a retirement fund becomes an income-support fund for a store greeter.

From MarketWatch

Renter rights: Landlords must provide working stoves and refrigerators for tenants as part of new lease agreements.

From Los Angeles Times

Funny is when kids inspect their parent’s refrigerator, check expiration dates on yogurt and sniff sponges before tossing them in the garbage.

From The Wall Street Journal

“We weren’t planning to replace anything this year,” said a 41-year-old office worker in eastern China who recently upgraded her refrigerator using a local trade-in subsidy.

From Barron's

Related Words

• cooler