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

• cut off
• isolate
• seclude
• segregate
• separate
• sequester

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

Other ways to protect against extreme heat, Dr. Gounder said, include taking advantage of state and federal tax credits for residential renewable energy installation projects, and making sure your home is properly insulated. —Mary Cunningham, CBS News, 26 Aug. 2024

Upstairs in the bathroom insulated from the blaring pulse of Afrobeats and dancehall, women in black miniskirts and tight dresses were drying their arms and legs. —Mankaprr Conteh, Rolling Stone, 7 Aug. 2024

Administration staff have said the White House infrastructure insulates Biden as president, with a team of senior advisers who shield him from the weaknesses that were exposed on the campaign trail. —Mckenzie Beard, Washington Post, 22 July 2024

The water insulates the cake, which prevents the outside of it from warming up faster than the inside. —Christianna Silva, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Aug. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Latin insula

First Known Use

circa 1741, in the meaning defined above

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