insulate

verb

in·​su·​late ˈin(t)-sə-ˌlāt How to pronounce insulate (audio)
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

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 Many coats are insulated with down feathers, but for those who would rather avoid the cost or the use of animal products, polyester is also a common fill material. Casey Clark, Parents, 5 Mar. 2024 Though it’s made of high-quality nylon and polyester, the tub is well insulated with five layers to keep water colder longer—about four hours. Brigitt Earley, Glamour, 4 Mar. 2024 When the police have less funding and drugs are legalized, higher levels of crime and drug use disproportionately hurt the poor, but the rich are insulated from the adverse consequences. Diana Furchtgott-Roth, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024 The ladies of the house used them to line tea trays to absorb any spills and to insulate teapots for tea service (thus the name). Betsy Cribb Watson, Southern Living, 26 Feb. 2024 How well a home is insulated and the type of heating system being replaced also makes a big difference in energy bills, the study found. IEEE Spectrum, 26 Feb. 2024 This piece is designed with warmth in mind, featuring an interior mesh fabric alongside cozy fleece to insulate the body against the elements. Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 17 Feb. 2024 Instead of opting for a more efficient, cost-effective program to insulate bare wires, replace poles and upgrade circuitry, one that balances safety and economics, the utility chose, yet again, to prioritize profit over responsibility to its customers. Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, 16 Feb. 2024 Some panels of the lander are insulated by material supplied by Columbia Sportswear to guard against the moon’s extreme temperatures. Mackenzie McCarty, The Christian Science Monitor, 23 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'insulate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Latin insula

First Known Use

circa 1741, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of insulate was circa 1741

Dictionary Entries Near insulate

Cite this Entry

“Insulate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/insulate. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

insulate

verb
in·​su·​late ˈin(t)-sə-ˌlāt How to pronounce insulate (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on insulate

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