defrost

verb

de·​frost di-ˈfrȯst How to pronounce defrost (audio)
ˈdē-ˌfrȯst
defrosted; defrosting; defrosts

transitive verb

1
: to release from a frozen state
defrost meat
2
a
: to free from ice
defrost a refrigerator/freezer
b
: to clear (a window or windshield) with a vehicle's defroster
defrost a windshield to clear it of ice and condensation

intransitive verb

: to thaw out especially from a deep-frozen state

Examples of defrost in a Sentence

You can defrost the soup in the microwave. Has the refrigerator defrosted yet?
Recent Examples on the Web The automaker recalled just over 199,000 Jeep Wrangler and Grand Cherokee vehicles for a software error that may cause the defrosting and defogging system to malfunction, which could decrease the driver’s visibility and increase the risk of a crash, regulators said. Ty Roush, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2024 The safest way to defrost frozen bacon is in your refrigerator. Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 21 Feb. 2024 On the horizon, the chef has yet another idea cooking: a sports bar that serves more than defrosted chicken tenders. Amanda Yeager, Baltimore Sun, 22 Jan. 2024 The fact that Mariah Carey defrosts each Nov. 1, beginning the warm-up to her end-of-year crescendo of Christmas tunes, illustrates the point succinctly. Tim Moffatt, EW.com, 17 Nov. 2023 Once again, it must be cooked immediately and thoroughly after defrosting. Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 21 Feb. 2024 LLMs have what robots lack: access to knowledge about practically everything humans have ever written, from quantum physics to K-pop to defrosting a salmon fillet. David Berreby, Scientific American, 20 Feb. 2024 The optional vegetables: While the rice is cooking, simmer the fresh peas until tender (4 to 20 minutes, depending on size and freshness), then drain and set aside; frozen peas only need to be defrosted. Bill Daley, Charlotte Observer, 31 Jan. 2024 Here’s how the freezer might impact food, as well as safety tips for freezing, defrosting, and reheating foods. Michelle Pugle, Health, 12 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'defrost.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1895, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of defrost was in 1895

Dictionary Entries Near defrost

Cite this Entry

“Defrost.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/defrost. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

defrost

verb
de·​frost di-ˈfrȯst How to pronounce defrost (audio)
ˈdē-
1
: to free from a frozen state : thaw out
defrost meat
2
: to free from ice
defrost a refrigerator
3
: to remove fog or condensed moisture from
defrost the windshield

More from Merriam-Webster on defrost

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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