insular

adjective in·su·lar \ ˈin(t)-su̇-lər , -syu̇- , ˈin-shə-lər \

Definition of insular

1 a :of, relating to, or constituting an island

b :dwelling or situated on an island

insular residents

2 :characteristic of an isolated people; especially :being, having, or reflecting a narrow provincial viewpoint

3 :of or relating to an island of cells or tissue

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insularism

play \ˈin(t)-su̇-lə-ˌri-zəm, -syu̇-, ˈin-shə-lə-\ noun

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insularity

play \ˌin(t)-su̇-ˈler-ə-tē, -ˈla-rə- -syu̇-, ˌin-shə-ˈler-ə-, -ˈla-rə-\ noun

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insularly

play \ˈin(t)-su̇-lər-lē, -syu̇-, ˈin-shə-\ adverb

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Examples of insular in a Sentence

the insular world of boarding schools
an insular community that is not receptive of new ideas, especially from outsiders

Recent Examples of insular from the Web

But a series of insular gated housing developments served primarily as a sprawling bedroom community for points north.

— andres viglucci and monique o. madan, miamiherald, "Post-Hurricane Andrew destruction, Homestead is reinventing itself," 20 Aug. 2017
So, for now, this insular world has settled on Allbirds — machine-washable shoes meant to be worn without socks.

— nellie bowles, The Seattle Times, "Latest Silicon Valley breakthrough: wool shoes," 14 Aug. 2017
Another Bush administration veteran, Douglas W. Domenech, has been tapped to lead the department's insular affairs unit, which administers policy for the United States' overseas territories.

— vicky ho, Alaska Dispatch News, "As interior secretary visits parks, his staff rolls back regulations," 25 July 2017
How does Greene establish the time period and economic/social circumstances of the Depression crippling the nation at large, while maintaining that insular focus on the town and these few days?

— patricia shannon, Southern Living, "Sip & Flip Book Club: Long Man," 11 July 2017
In the insular world of baseball, their paths have continued to cross.

— billy witz, New York Times, "For Aaron Judge’s Foes at College Home Run Derby, Thrill Hasn’t Descended," 8 July 2017
In Horn's insular community of life, each member exists for itself and for all others: predator and prey.

— the new york times, NOLA.com, "Walter Anderson's Horn Island off Mississippi remains a 'natural reality'," 4 July 2017
Australia has a relatively insular, risk-averse community of board members and investors who for the most part do not seek public confrontation, said Gilbert + Tobin partner Justin Mannolini.

— reuters, Fortune, "These 7 Tech Jobs Are Poised for a Great Year," 21 June 2017
In that closed, insular model, big companies paid bribes to secure bloated government contracts paid for by high taxes.

— nick miroff, Washington Post, "A corruption scandal wrecked Brazil’s economy. Now, workers face the consequences.," 19 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'insular.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of insular

Late Latin insularis, from Latin insula island

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1611

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insular Synonyms

Other Geology Terms

anthracite, boulder, cwm, erratic, igneous, intrusive, mesa, sedimentary, silt, swale

INSULAR Defined for English Language Learners

insular

adjective

Definition of insular for English Language Learners

: separated from other people or cultures : not knowing or interested in new or different ideas

Medical Dictionary

insular

adjective in·su·lar \ -lər \

medical Definition of insular

:of or relating to an island of cells or tissue (as the islets of Langerhans or the insula)

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INSULAR Defined for English Language Learners

insular

Definition of insular for English Language Learners

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