<p><strong>Verb (used without object):</strong></p><ul><li>to become hardened into ice or into a solid body; change from the liquid to the solid state by loss of heat.</li><li>to become hard or stiffened because of loss of heat, as objects containing moisture: Meat will freeze in a few hours.</li><li>to suffer the effects of intense cold; have the sensation of extreme cold: We sat there freezing until the heat came on.</li><li>to be of the degree of cold at which water freezes: It may freeze tonight.</li><li>to lose warmth of feeling; be stunned or chilled with fear, shock, etc.: My heart froze when she told me the news.</li><li>to become immobilized through fear, shock, etc.: When he got in front of the audience he froze.</li><li>to stop suddenly and remain motionless; halt: I froze in my tracks.</li><li>to become obstructed by the formation of ice, as pipes: Our basement water pipes often freeze in winter.</li><li>to die or be injured because of frost or cold.</li><li>(of a screw, nail, or the like) to become rigidly fixed in place, as from rust or dirt.</li><li>to become fixed to something by or as if by the action of frost.</li><li>to become unfriendly, secretive, or aloof (often followed by up): He froze at such a personal question.</li><li>Digital Technology: (of hardware or software) to become temporarily inoperable; cease to function (often followed by up): The new software made my laptop freeze.</li></ul><p><strong>Noun:</strong></p><ul><li>the act of freezing; state of being frozen.</li><li>Also called ice-up.</li><li>Meteorology: a widespread occurrence of temperatures below 32°F (0°C) persisting for at least several days: A freeze is expected in the coastal areas.</li><li>a frost.</li><li>Digital Technology: a cease in function when software gets caught in loops or hardware lacks sufficient processing power to continue a task.</li><li>a legislative action, especially in time of national emergency, to control prices, rents, production, etc.: The government put a freeze on new construction.</li><li>a decision by one or more nations to stop or limit production or development of weapons, especially nuclear weapons.</li></ul><p><strong>Verb Phrase (Informal):</strong></p><ul><li>to adhere closely to; hold on; seize.</li><li>to exclude or compel (somebody) to withdraw from membership, acceptance, a position of influence or advantage, etc., by cold treatment or severe competition.</li><li>to coat or become coated with ice: The lake freezes over for several months each year.</li></ul>