defrosting

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "defrosting" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the process of removing frost or ice from something, typically food or a freezer. Example: "I left the chicken out on the counter for a few hours for defrosting before cooking it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The Tory modernisation programme was put in the freezer.Freed from the complexities of coalition, Mr Cameron now seems to be defrosting that programme and adding the cost-of-living dimension that its first iteration naively lacked.

The Economist

Look for the silver lining Reprints Related items World trade: Defrosting DohaJul 17th 2008 Trade: The greatest journeyJul 17th 2008 Economics focus: The Doha dilemmaMay 29th 2008 Global trade talks: Potsdam's priceJun 28th 2007That "progress" is feeble.

The Economist

The return of share repurchases on a grand scale (doubtless at a time when they are far more expensive than today) will be a sign that defrosting is giving way to overheating.

The Economist

Letters are welcome via e-mail to [email protected] world trade systemSIR – Your briefing on the Doha trade negotiations exaggerated the damage to the world economy from not reaching an agreement on the current proposals ("Defrosting Doha", July 19th).

The Economist

For example, ice cream stored in an automatic defrosting domestic freezer becomes sandy in texture because the ice crystals increase in size as the temperature of the system fluctuates.

Encyclopedia Britannica

We tested a range of microwaves for their cooking and defrosting abilities, making all the usual micro staples such as baked potatoes and popcorn– with a few more complex family meals too.

Independent

Plenty of it is situative, stemming from us being forced to do things we're unable to delegate to technology or make someone else do for us – ironing, defrosting the freezer, fending off cold callers trying to get us to switch our energy supplier, and so on.

Independent

Avoid the common error of partially defrosting your turkey.

Independent

The most common questions amid the deluge of calls relate to cooking and defrosting times and, yes, how to cook a bird that's too big for your oven – more of us are buying supersize birds, apparently.

Independent

At one point during his first marriage, his wife, Joan Baim, in the middle of a vicious argument, picked up a defrosting veal chop and threw it at his head.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Make sure your son or daughter knows how to sew on a button or a repair a hem, change a light bulb (yes, honestly some have never done that at home), tie a tie, defrost a refrigerator (some dorm fridges aren't self-defrosting) and judge how long different foods can stay in a refrigerator before going bad.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about food preparation, be specific about the method of "defrosting" to ensure food safety. For instance, mention "defrosting" in the refrigerator rather than at room temperature.

Common error

Ensure items are fully "defrosted" before cooking to avoid uneven cooking and potential health risks. Check for any remaining ice crystals before proceeding.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "defrosting" is as a verb, specifically the present participle or gerund form of the verb 'defrost'. It describes an ongoing action of removing ice or frost. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. The examples show its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Lifestyle

14%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "defrosting" functions primarily as a verb, denoting the action of removing ice or frost from an object. As Ludwig AI indicates, its usage is grammatically correct and broadly applicable, particularly within contexts related to food preparation and appliance maintenance. Predominantly found in "News & Media" sources, its formality remains neutral. To enhance clarity, specify the "defrosting" method, and always ensure thorough completion to prevent uneven cooking. Alternatives such as "thawing" or "unfreezing" can be employed, depending on the specific nuance desired. The abundance of examples highlights "defrosting" as a widely recognized and frequently used term.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

thawing

Replaces "defrosting" with a direct synonym, focusing on the melting aspect.

unfreezing

Emphasizes the reversal of the freezing process, similar to "defrosting".

deicing

Specifically refers to removing ice, often used in contexts like aviation or roads.

melting

Highlights the physical change of state from solid to liquid.

warming up

Focuses on increasing the temperature to remove frost.

bringing to room temperature

Specifies the target temperature for the defrosting process.

demisting

Refers to removing mist or condensation, similar to removing frost but in a different context.

deglaciating

Describes the melting of glaciers or large ice masses.

disencrusting

Focuses on removing a hard outer layer, which could include ice or frost.

liquefying

Highlights the transformation into a liquid state.

FAQs

How do you properly use "defrosting" in a sentence?

You can use "defrosting" to describe the action of removing ice or frost, as in, "I am "defrosting" the chicken before cooking it" or "The freezer is "defrosting" automatically".

What are some alternatives to the word "defrosting"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "thawing", "unfreezing", or "deicing".

Which is correct, "defrosting" or "thawing"?

"Defrosting" and "thawing" are often used interchangeably, but "defrosting" generally refers to removing frost or ice, while "thawing" specifically means to change from a frozen to a liquid state.

Is it safe to refreeze food after "defrosting"?

It's generally not recommended to refreeze food after "defrosting" unless it has been cooked, as this can increase the risk of bacterial growth.