to become solid because of very cold temperatures
If the temperature drops below zero, water will freeze.
The puddle on the road froze overnight and became slippery.
✦ Old English “frēosan” (to freeze) from Proto-Germanic *freusaną, related to frost.
to make something very cold until it becomes solid, or keep it at a very low temperature to preserve it
I always freeze berries so I can use them in smoothies later.
The chef decided to freeze the fish to keep it fresh.
to suddenly stop moving and stay completely still, usually because of fear or surprise
When the guard yelled, the thief froze in place.
The children froze like statues during the game of 'Red Light, Green Light'.
a period of very cold weather when the temperature falls below 0 °C
Farmers worry that an early freeze could damage the crops.
Tonight’s forecast warns of a hard freeze.
of a computer or app, to stop responding and become unusable
My laptop froze while I was saving the document.
The game keeps freezing right before the final level.
an official stopping of increases or changes, especially in prices, wages, or spending
The government announced a three-month freeze on electricity prices.
Workers are upset about the wage freeze.
