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 its portfolio does not fully insulate the company from a weak brand. — Brandon Gomez, CNBC, 23 Oct. 2026

Employee ownership, however, has not insulated the studio from financial pressures. — Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 22 Oct. 2026

This insulates these segments of the market from the effects of fluctuating mortgage rates. — Catherine Odom, Miami Herald, 20 Oct. 2026

Nuclear deserves renewed attention as both an energy and national security asset, since reactors provide reliable electricity largely insulated from short-term geopolitical shocks. — Dr. Sarah Kapnick, semafor.com, 20 Oct. 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