cryopreserve: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowTechnical/Scientific/Medical
Quick answer
What does “cryopreserve” mean?
To preserve biological material (e.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To preserve biological material (e.g., cells, tissue, organs) by cooling it to very low temperatures, typically using liquid nitrogen, to maintain viability for future use.
To store or keep something in a state of suspended animation or inactivity at extremely low temperatures, halting biological or chemical processes.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical or grammatical differences. Spelling follows standard regional patterns (e.g., -ise/-ize). Both varieties use the term primarily in technical contexts.
Connotations
Solely technical/scientific. No cultural or connotative differences between varieties.
Frequency
Equally low frequency in both varieties, confined to specialized fields like medicine, biology, and bioengineering.
Grammar
How to Use “cryopreserve” in a Sentence
[Somebody] cryopreserves [something][Something] is cryopreserved (in something)to cryopreserve [something] for [a purpose]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “cryopreserve” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The clinic will cryopreserve the fertilised embryos for future implantation.
- Researchers aim to cryopreserve coral sperm to safeguard biodiversity.
American English
- The lab plans to cryopreserve the tissue samples in liquid nitrogen.
- They successfully cryopreserved the organ for transport.
adjective
British English
- The cryopreserved sperm retained its viability after thawing.
- They studied cryopreserve protocols for different cell types.
American English
- The cryopreserved embryos were stored for five years.
- Standard cryopreserve techniques were employed.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Potentially used in biotech/pharma business plans or investment pitches regarding storage technologies.
Academic
Common in research papers in biology, medicine, reproductive technology, and cryobiology.
Everyday
Extremely rare. Might appear in news articles about fertility treatments or speculative science (e.g., cryonics).
Technical
The primary domain. Precise term in laboratory protocols, medical procedures, and scientific literature.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “cryopreserve”
- Using 'cryopreserve' for simple freezing of food. Confusing it with 'cryogenics' (the broader science) or 'cryonics' (freezing whole bodies after legal death). Spelling: 'cryo-preserve' (with a hyphen is less common).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, not exactly. While both involve low temperatures, 'cryopreserve' is a technical term for preserving biological material at extremely low temperatures (often below -130°C) using specific methods and protective agents (cryoprotectants) to prevent ice crystal damage and maintain viability upon rewarming. Simple 'freezing' often damages cells.
The practice of cryopreserving whole human bodies after legal death is called 'cryonics'. It is speculative and highly controversial, as current technology cannot successfully revive a whole cryopreserved body. 'Cryopreservation' typically refers to smaller biological samples like cells, tissues, or organs where revival is scientifically established.
The most common noun is 'cryopreservation'. You can also use 'cryopreserving' as a gerund (e.g., 'The cryopreserving of samples is routine').
'Cryogenics' is the broad branch of physics and engineering that deals with the production and effects of very low temperatures. 'Cryopreservation' is a specific application within cryogenics (and biology/medicine) focused on preserving living matter at those low temperatures.
To preserve biological material (e.
Cryopreserve is usually technical/scientific/medical in register.
Cryopreserve: in British English it is pronounced /ˌkraɪəʊprɪˈzɜːv/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌkraɪoʊprəˈzɜːrv/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'CRYO' (meaning 'icy cold', like in cryogenic) + 'PRESERVE' (to keep safe). You 'preserve' something by making it 'cryo' (super cold).
Conceptual Metaphor
PRESERVATION IS SUSPENSION (of time and decay). LOW TEMPERATURE IS A PAUSE BUTTON FOR BIOLOGY.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the verb 'cryopreserve' most accurately used?