freeze meaning and definition

FREEZE noun

Definition of freeze (noun)

1. the withdrawal of heat to change something from a liquid to a solid
   • synonyms: freezing
2. weather cold enough to cause freezing
   • synonyms: frost
3. an interruption or temporary suspension of progress or movement
   • "a halt in the arms race"; "a nuclear freeze"
   • synonyms: halt
4. fixing (of prices or wages etc) at a particular level
   • "a freeze on hiring"

FREEZE verb

Definition of freeze (verb)

1. stop moving or become immobilized
   • "When he saw the police car he froze"
   • synonyms: stop dead
2. change to ice
   • "The water in the bowl froze"
   • antonym: boil
3. be cold
   • "I could freeze to death in this office when the air conditioning is turned on"
4. cause to freeze
   • "Freeze the leftover food"
5. stop a process or a habit by imposing a freeze on it
   • "Suspend the aid to the war-torn country"
   • synonyms: suspend
6. be very cold, below the freezing point
   • "It is freezing in Kalamazoo"
7. change from a liquid to a solid when cold
   • "Water freezes at 32 degrees Fahrenheit"
   • synonyms: freeze down, freeze out
8. prohibit the conversion or use of (assets)
   • "Blocked funds"; "Freeze the assets of this hostile government"
   • synonyms: block, immobilise, immobilize
   • antonym: free
9. anesthetize by cold
10. suddenly behave coldly and formally
    • "She froze when she saw her ex-husband"