refrigerator

noun

re·​frig·​er·​a·​tor ri-ˈfri-jə-ˌrā-tər How to pronounce refrigerator (audio)
: something that refrigerates
especially : a room or appliance for keeping food or other items cool

Examples of refrigerator in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The kitchen features an island, a wine refrigerator, stainless steel appliances and a butler’s pantry. — Kim Quillen, Chicago Tribune, 8 Oct. 2026 Back then there were no refrigerators — there were iceboxes, and glasses were placed upside down inside them to cool before being filled with ice cream. — Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 7 Oct. 2026 The limited electricity supply also left classrooms dim and prevented the school from using refrigerators. — ABC News, 6 Oct. 2026 There, Tifanie Bishop, an administrative assistant for the school's SAFE Center, keeps containers of soup in a refrigerator inside a free store where students can get groceries and other necessities. — Brian Unger, CBS News, 6 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for refrigerator

Word History

First Known Use

1611, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of refrigerator was in 1611

Phrases Containing refrigerator

Rhymes for refrigerator

See All Rhymes for refrigerator

Browse Nearby Words

refrigerative
refrigerator
refrigerator car
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Cite this Entry

“Refrigerator.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/refrigerator. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

refrigerator

noun
re·​frig·​er·​a·​tor ri-ˈfrij-ə-ˌrāt-ər How to pronounce refrigerator (audio)
: a device or room for keeping articles (as food) cool

More from Merriam-Webster on refrigerator

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about refrigerator

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