frozen

adjective

fro·​zen ˈfrō-zᵊn How to pronounce frozen (audio)
1
a
: treated, affected, or crusted over by freezing
b
: subject to long and severe cold
the frozen north
2
a
: incapable of being changed, moved, or undone : fixed
specifically : debarred by official action from movement or from change in status
frozen wages
b
: not available for present use
frozen capital
c(1)
: drained or incapable of emotion
(2)
: expressing or characterized by cold unfriendliness
frozenly adverb
frozenness noun

Examples of frozen in a Sentence

the car door was frozen ever since an accident had damaged the hinge pay rates will remain frozen until the company does better financially
Recent Examples on the Web All of these frozen embryos are a real estate nightmare for the clinics across the country that need to store these sacks of cells for months, or even years, as their patients work through their family planning futures. Ruthie Ackerman, Vogue, 13 Mar. 2024 If possible, visit in February or March with Frontiers North Adventures for Dan’s Diner, an experiential gastro-tourism event that combines tracking the northern lights, traversing the frozen Churchill River by Tundra Buggy®, and enjoying a feast by a top Canadian chef. Paul Rubio, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Mar. 2024 Like today, the temperature differential between ground level and clouds can be amplified by vorticity, creating some frozen precipitation (graupel snow grains) even with temperatures around or slightly above 50 degrees! A. Camden Walker, Washington Post, 10 Mar. 2024 The Alabama senator's mention of IVF services comes as Republicans seek to quell concerns that access to fertility treatments could be at risk after the high court in Britt's home state found frozen embryos can be considered children under Alabama law. Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 8 Mar. 2024 Facing pressure to get in vitro fertilization services restarted in the state, Alabama’s governor swiftly signed legislation into law March 6 shielding doctors from potential legal liability raised by a court ruling that equated frozen embryos to children. Kim Chandler, The Christian Science Monitor, 7 Mar. 2024 Last month, at least three major clinics in Alabama paused in vitro fertilization, or IVF, treatments after the state’s supreme court ruled that frozen embryos are considered children under the law. Melissa Jeltsen, The Atlantic, 7 Mar. 2024 Alabama court rules frozen embryos are children, chilling IVF advocates. USA TODAY, 7 Mar. 2024 Last month, the state’s Supreme Court ruled that frozen embryos are human beings and those who destroy them can be held liable for wrongful death. Aj Willingham, CNN, 7 Mar. 2024

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

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of frozen was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near frozen

Cite this Entry

“Frozen.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/frozen. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

frozen

1 of 2

past participle of freeze entry 1

frozen

2 of 2 adjective
1
: treated, affected, or crusted over by freezing
2
a
: fixed sense 1
frozen wages
b
: not available for present use
frozen assets
frozenness noun

Medical Definition

frozen

past part of freeze

Legal Definition

frozen

past participle of freeze

More from Merriam-Webster on frozen

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!