cooldown

American

[kool-doun] / ˈkulˌdaʊn /

Or cool-down

noun

a period of low-impact or slower exercise following a more intense workout to allow the body to gradually return to its normal physiological level.

verb phrase

to bring the body back to its normal physiological level after fast, vigorous exercise or activity by gradually slowing the pace of activity or by doing gentle exercises or stretches.

Etymology

Origin of cooldown

First recorded in 1910–15; cool ( def. ) (in the verb sense “to make or become cool” + down ¹ ( def. ) (in the adverb sense “from a higher to a lower state”); the noun is derived from the verb phrase

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

cooldown

Despite the chance of a few sporadic thunderstorms breaking out later this week across southern areas of the UK, the prospect of a concerted cooldown remains uncertain.

From BBC ● Jul. 12, 2026

The core CPI’s 0.2% monthly increase in May also represented a cooldown from a 0.4% uptick in April.

From Barron's ● Jun. 10, 2026

The forecast shows a slight cooldown Saturday, but temperatures will still be about 15 to 20 degrees above normal.

From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 11, 2026

U.S. natural gas ended the day and the week lower amid market uncertainty that an expected cooldown in late January weather will keep the supply surplus from growing.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 12, 2026

"Now give me two cooldown laps and get off my track."

From "Ghost" by Jason Reynolds

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023