cooler

noun

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

Synonyms of cooler

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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.
Other attractants worth removing include bird feeders, coolers, dirty grills and pet food left outside. — Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 5 Aug. 2026 Anyone who has struggled to keep their house cool during a heat wave has likely come across advice to avoid hot appliances to keep a home cooler. — Kamron Sanders, The Spruce, 3 Aug. 2026 Three reached shore, but one man continued drifting downstream while clinging to a cooler. — Stephen Sorace, FOXNews.com, 3 Aug. 2026 Several food establishments had issues with roaches, and the inspector also found what appeared to be rat droppings inside a drink cooler at the QuikTrip located at 6601 Brentwood Stair Road. — Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for cooler

Word History

Etymology

cool entry 2 + -er entry 2

First Known Use

circa 1550, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of cooler was circa 1550

Phrases Containing cooler

Rhymes for cooler

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Browse Nearby Words

cooldown
cooler
cooler heads prevail
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Cooler.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cooler. Accessed 9 Aug. 2026.

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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

Nglish: Translation of cooler for Spanish Speakers

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