cooler

[ koo-ler ]

noun

1. a container or apparatus, as an insulated chest, in which something may be cooled or kept cool.
2. anything that cools or makes cool; refrigerant.
3. an air conditioner.
4. a tall drink, consisting of liquor, soda, and a fruit garnish.
5. water cooler.
6. the cooler, Slang. jail:

   He was in the cooler for three months for petty theft.

7. Ice Hockey Slang. penalty box.

cooler

/ ˈkuːlə /

noun

1. a container, vessel, or apparatus for cooling, such as a heat exchanger
2. a slang word for prison
3. a drink consisting of wine, fruit juice, and carbonated water

Word History and Origins

Origin of cooler¹

First recorded in 1565–75; cool + -er ¹

Example Sentences

In between the customers, vendors were constantly on the move, expertly moving buckets of flowers from nearby coolers onto the floor or stripping faded petals and leaves from new bunches of flowers.

From Los Angeles Times

At the same time the team was able to show that some species also seek the heat of the city center, while others prefer the cooler outlying areas, where there is also less light pollution.

From Science Daily

Their measurements found that during the day, green spaces are indeed cooler than the surrounding built-up areas, but this effect is often counterbalanced by increased humidity.

From Science Daily

Many scientists expect the opposite, cooler phase, La Niña, to develop soon.

From BBC

Rather than wait for the hottest season to pass, I’ve taken to hiking at night, when it’s cooler outside, in the summer.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• container