refrigerator car

noun

1. a freight car having either an ice chest or machinery for chilling perishables and sometimes having a heating unit to keep perishables from freezing.

Word History and Origins

Origin of refrigerator car¹

An Americanism dating back to 1865–70

Example Sentences

Using an innovative system of refrigerator cars and distribution centres, they began to distribute fresh beef nationwide.

From The Guardian

On Thursday, police stopped a truck barreling down the highway with 146 migrants, including 55 children riding in a refrigerator car.

From Washington Post

His body was brought home in a refrigerator car meant for oysters.

From New York Times

At the railroad station, a few yards away, a Grad rocket was stuck in a refrigerator car.

From US News

The team will methodically open the remaining refrigerator cars containing the body bags in the coming days, taking them out one at a time to ready them for an international flight.

From Washington Post