First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
1freeze
verb \ˈfrēz\
: to be become a hard substance (such as ice) because of cold
: to be very cold
: to become blocked or unable to move because of ice
froze \ˈfrōz\ fro·zen \ˈfrō-zən\ freez·ing
Full Definition of FREEZE
intransitive verb
1
a : to become congealed into ice by cold b : to solidify as a result of abstraction of heat c : to withstand freezing <the bread freezes well>
2
: to become chilled with cold <almost froze to death>
3
: to adhere solidly by or as if by freezing <pressure caused the metals to freeze>
4
: to become fixed or motionless; especially : to become incapable of acting or speaking
5
: to become clogged with ice <the water pipes froze>
transitive verb
1
a : to harden into ice b : to convert from a liquid to a solid by cold
2
: to make extremely cold : chill
3
a : to act on usually destructively by frost b : to anesthetize by cold
4
: to cause to grip tightly or remain in immovable contact
5
a : to cause to become fixed, immovable, unavailable, or unalterable <freeze interest rates> b : to immobilize by governmental regulation the expenditure, withdrawal, or exchange of <freeze foreign assets> c : to render motionless <a fake froze the defender>
6
: to attempt to retain continuous possession of (a ball or puck) without an attempt to score usually in order to protect a small lead
— freez·ing·ly adverb
See freeze defined for English-language learners
See freeze defined for kids
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Origin of FREEZE
Middle English fresen, from Old English frēosan; akin to Old High German friosan to freeze, Latin pruina hoarfrost, Old English frost frost
Related to FREEZE
2freeze
noun
: a period in which the weather is very cold : a time when temperatures are below 32°F or 0°C
: a stop in the increase, decrease, or change of prices or wages
Full Definition of FREEZE
1
a : an act or instance of freezing b : the state of being frozen
2
: a state of weather marked by low temperature especially when below the freezing point
3
: a halt in the production, testing, and deployment of military weapons <a nuclear freeze>
See freeze defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of FREEZE
15th century
FREEZING Defined for Kids
1freeze
verb \ˈfrēz\
froze \ˈfrōz\fro·zen \ˈfrō-zən\freez·ing
Definition of FREEZE for Kids
1
: to harden into or be hardened into a solid (as ice) by loss of heat <freeze blueberries> <The river froze over.>
2
: to be uncomfortably cold <It's freezing in here. I'm frozen.>
3
: to damage by cold <The plants were frozen by heavy frost.>
4
: to clog or become clogged by ice <Water pipes froze overnight.>
5
: to become completely still <I was so startled, I froze.>
2freeze
noun
Definition of FREEZE for Kids
1
: a period of freezing weather : cold weather
2
: the state of being frozen <in a deep freeze>
Medical Dictionary
freeze
verb \ˈfrēz\
froze \ˈfrōz\ fro·zen \ˈfrōz-ən\ freez·ing
Medical Definition of FREEZE
intransitive verb
1
: to become hardened into a solid (as ice) by loss of heat
2
a : to become chilled with cold <almost froze to death> b : to anesthetize a part especially by cold
transitive verb
1
: to cause to harden into a solid (as ice) by loss of heat
2
: to make extremely cold : chill
3
a : to act on usually destructively by frost b : to anesthetize by cold
Learn More About FREEZE
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