insulate

verb

in·​su·​late ˈin(t)-sə-ˌlāt 

insulated; insulating

transitive verb

: to place in a detached situation : isolate

especially : to separate from conducting bodies by means of nonconductors so as to prevent transfer of electricity, heat, or sound

Synonyms of insulate

• isolate
• separate
• segregate

Examples of insulate in a Sentence

They used a special type of fiberglass to insulate the attic.

a material that is able to insulate against cold

The company has tried to insulate itself from the region's political turmoil.

I wish I could insulate my children from painful experiences.

Recent Examples on the Web

But a public safety budget comprising more than half of the county’s entire operating budget should not be insulated from ordinary legislative oversight by the threat of a subpoena. — Jose Navarro, Sun Sentinel, 5 Nov. 2026

Mulching too early in fall can trap warmth that tricks the plants into sending out new growth, but mulching after the ground has frozen won’t properly insulate roots. — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 4 Nov. 2026

In this case, overwinter your catmint by placing it under an insulating silo, burying it in the ground, or moving the container to an unheated garage. — Abby Monteil, The Spruce, 4 Nov. 2026

The would-be scammer positions themself as a sort of financial guru, seeking to convince victims that following their advice will insulate their victims from the global financial collapse that is sure to doom most everyone else. — Harmeet Kaur, CNN Money, 3 Nov. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Latin insula

First Known Use

1742, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for insulate

• abdicate
• abrogate
• acetate
• activate
• actuate
• aggravate
• agitate
• alginate
• alienate
• allocate
• amputate
• angulate

Kids Definition

insulate

verb

in·​su·​late ˈin(t)-sə-ˌlāt 

insulated; insulating

: to place in a detached situation : isolate

especially : to separate from conducting bodies by means of nonconductors so as to prevent transfer of electricity, heat, or sound

Etymology

from Latin insula "island" — related to isle, isolate, peninsula