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.

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refrigerator British  

/ rɪˈfrɪdʒəˌreɪtə /

noun

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

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Etymology

Origin of refrigerator

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

Example Sentences

To get action shots, the refrigerator is hooked up to water and electricity, said Long, who has worked as a professional photographer for nearly two decades.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 4, 2026

The honey was left untouched in the refrigerator when he left.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 20, 2026

A Starcloud-1 satellite, about the size of a small refrigerator, is expected to be packed with 100 times more computing power than any previous space-based operation.

From Barron's • Mar. 17, 2026

Once you’ve shaped the loaf on the sheet pan, slide it into the refrigerator for 20 to 30 minutes before baking.

From Salon • Mar. 11, 2026

Mustafa walks into the kitchen and opens up the refrigerator.

From "Amina's Song" by Hena Khan

Related Words

• cooler