refrigerator

noun

ri-FRIJ-uh-ray-tur/ɹɪˈfɹɪd͡ʒəˌɹeɪtɚ/ri-FRIJ-uh-ray-tuh/ɹɪˈfɹɪd͡ʒəˌɹeɪtə/

Pluralrefrigerators

3 meanings of refrigerator

1
nouncountable
A machine that keeps food cold so it stays fresh for longer.
Like a cold box that stops your food from going bad.
The refrigerator hums quietly in the corner of the kitchen.
She filled the refrigerator with fruit, milk, and vegetables.
Similarfridge, icebox
Note
2
nouncountable
A cold machine used to store things like blood, medicine, or film instead of food.
Like a cold box, but for things such as medicine instead of food.
The clinic stores its vaccines in a special refrigerator.
Old camera film was kept cold in a refrigerator to protect it.
Similarfridge, cooler
3
nouncountable
A person who spoils a happy mood and makes everyone around feel uneasy.
Like a cold wind that blows out the warmth of a fun moment.
Whenever he walks in, the laughter stops. He's a real refrigerator.
Nobody relaxed around her; she was a complete refrigerator at the gathering.
Similarkilljoy, spoilsport, damper
Note

Practice

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Origin

From Medieval Latin refrigerator, meaning "cooler."