antifreeze

noun

an·​ti·​freeze ˈan-ti-ˌfrēz How to pronounce antifreeze (audio)
1
: a substance added to a liquid (such as the water in an automobile engine) to lower its freezing point
2
: any of various substances (such as proteins or alcohols) that are found in some living organisms (such as certain fish and insects) and serve to lower the freezing point of body fluids especially by limiting ice crystal growth

Examples of antifreeze in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The antifreeze was found two days after a dog was shot in the same neighborhood, Utica police said on Facebook. Kate Linderman, Kansas City Star, 21 Feb. 2024 The next morning, Vanessa was watching a show called Scare Tactics when Rodney went outside to check her car’s antifreeze. Molly Langmuir, Rolling Stone, 2 Feb. 2024 Check antifreeze, batteries and these other parts ahead of winter storms During cold weather, your vehicle may require twice the amount of current than normal to get the engine to start. Anthony Robledo, USA TODAY, 17 Jan. 2024 If a pet ingests even a small amount of antifreeze, the substance causes a chemical cascade in their body that results in severe kidney damage. Discover Magazine, 1 Feb. 2024 Cold-tolerant insects can produce a natural antifreeze that protects their cells from freeze damage to temperatures well below freezing. Miri Talabac, Baltimore Sun, 11 Jan. 2024 Without antifreeze, the engine water could ... freeze. Annie Gabillet, Travel + Leisure, 6 Dec. 2023 The scientists had added gold nanoparticles to their antifreeze to help the corals warm evenly during reheating. WIRED, 11 Nov. 2023 Using antifreeze and liquid nitrogen, scientists froze coral fragments in a glass-like state, then thawed and returned them to seawater. Margaret Osborne, Smithsonian Magazine, 30 Aug. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'antifreeze.' 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

1903, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of antifreeze was in 1903

Dictionary Entries Near antifreeze

Cite this Entry

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

Kids Definition

antifreeze

noun
an·​ti·​freeze ˈant-i-ˌfrēz How to pronounce antifreeze (audio)
: a substance added to a liquid (as the water in an automobile radiator) to prevent freezing

More from Merriam-Webster on antifreeze

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!