freezing-point

The scientist records the freezing-point of the liquid.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • The temperature at which a liquid turns into a solid: "freezing-point" is the specific temperature at which a substance changes from a liquid state to a solid state, typically due to cooling. For pure water at standard atmospheric pressure, this is 0°C (32°F).

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The freezing-point of water is 0 degrees Celsius. (The temperature at which water solidifies.)
  • Salt lowers the freezing-point of water, preventing ice formation on roads. (Adding salt changes the solidification temperature.)

Advanced Usage

• "at the freezing-point": at the exact temperature where freezing occurs.

  • The liquid remained liquid even at the freezing-point, due to impurities. (The substance did not solidify despite reaching the theoretical temperature.)

• "below the freezing-point": at a temperature lower than the freezing-point.

  • Temperatures dropped below the freezing-point overnight, causing frost. (The air became cold enough to freeze water.)

Variants and Related Words

• Freeze (verb): to become solid due to cold.

  • The pond will freeze if it gets cold enough. (The water will turn to ice.)

• Freezing (adjective): extremely cold, or relating to the process of freezing.

  • It is freezing outside today. (The weather is very cold.)

• Point (noun): a specific position or moment, often used in measurement contexts.

  • The boiling-point is the opposite of the freezing-point. (The temperature for vaporization.)

Synonyms

• Solidification point: the temperature at which a liquid solidifies.
• Congealing point: a less common term for the temperature at which a substance thickens or sets.

Related Idioms

• "to be at the freezing-point": to be in a state of near-solidification or extreme cold.
  • The relationship between the two countries is at the freezing-point. (The relationship is very cold and stagnant.)

Phrasal Verbs

• Freeze over: to become covered with ice.

  • The lake froze over last night. (The entire surface became ice.)

• Freeze up: to stop functioning due to cold or fear.

  • The pipes froze up during the winter storm. (The water in the pipes solidified, blocking flow.)