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 Fill power is the industry’s metric for measuring the insulating properties of down. Andrea Wurzburger, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Nov. 2023 This envy-inducing option, available in bright colors, is insulated with 600-fill-power goose down. Gabrielle Porcaro, Travel + Leisure, 12 Nov. 2023 This generates stronger winds that propel tree seeds farther and more snowfall that insulates seedlings from harsh winter conditions. David J. Cooper, The Conversation, 3 Nov. 2023 Like the three moons, this dwarf planet is likely insulated by a sufficiently thick crust that slows the leaking of its radioactive furnace into space. Quanta Magazine, 2 Nov. 2023 In contrast, electrically insulating dielectric materials (stuff that doesn’t conduct electricity well but does support electrostatic fields well) can withstand light fields thousands of times stronger. IEEE Spectrum, 24 Oct. 2023 For ethical and political reasons, most attorneys general since the Watergate crisis have tried to insulate the department’s prosecutorial decisions from the White House to avoid abuses of power or allegations of corruption. Matt Ford, The New Republic, 2 Nov. 2023 Some people prefer to wear a puffy down jacket for their insulating layer rather than a sweater. Lydia Price, Travel + Leisure, 31 Oct. 2023 Photo: Sergio Flores/Reuters As the Securities and Exchange Commission gets more aggressive in enforcing cybersecurity regulations, corporate cyber chiefs want to insulate themselves from potential liability. Kim S. Nash, WSJ, 30 Oct. 2023 See More

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 29 Nov. 2023.

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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