cooler

noun

cool·​er ˈkü-lər How to pronounce cooler (audio)
1
: one that cools: such as
a
: a container for cooling liquids
2
: lockup, jail
especially : a cell for violent or unmanageable prisoners
3
: an iced drink usually with an alcoholic beverage as a base

Examples of cooler in a Sentence

The sodas are in the cooler. plea-bargained to avoid spending time in the cooler
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The restaurant was in violation of 12 standards, including raw meat stored above ready-to-eat chicken breast and shelving inside walk-in cooler in need of cleaning. Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 4 Apr. 2025 The fire comes days after a fire broke out at the France pavilion inside Walt Disney World's Epcot theme park in Florida, with the March blaze starting near a walk-in cooler in a backstage area not accessible to guests. Joey Nolfi, EW.com, 4 Apr. 2025 Another woman was shot in the leg, hiding in a walk-in cooler. Meredith Colias-Pete, Chicago Tribune, 1 Apr. 2025 Egg cartons were stored above produce in a walk-in cooler. Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 28 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for cooler

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1550, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of cooler was circa 1550

Cite this Entry

“Cooler.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cooler. Accessed 13 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

cooler

noun
cool·​er ˈkü-lər How to pronounce cooler (audio)
: a container for keeping food or drink cool

More from Merriam-Webster on cooler

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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