cooler

Cooler is a term with several related meanings referring to devices or containers that lower or maintain lower temperatures. In common usage, a cooler is a portable insulated container designed to keep food and drinks cold for extended periods. These coolers typically have a hard plastic shell with polyurethane foam insulation and closures to minimize heat gain. They are widely used for camping, picnics, fishing, and travel. Coolers may be nonpowered (ice coolers) or powered by ice packs or chemical coolants.

In a broader technological sense, cooler refers to equipment that removes heat from a system. Household refrigerators and freezers, air conditioners, and automotive radiators employ refrigeration cycles or other heat-transfer methods to maintain low temperatures. Computers and electronics use dedicated cooling devices, commonly called CPU or GPU coolers, which include air-cooled heat sinks with fans, and liquid cooling loops.

There are also specialized types of coolers for beverages, such as cooler bags and keg coolers. The design of a cooler depends on factors such as thermal insulation, durability, weight, and the duration for which cold temperatures must be maintained. The term originates from the verb cool, and its use as a noun typically denotes a device or vessel that promotes cooling.