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

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine ended the assumption that energy infrastructure could be insulated from geopolitics. — Sam Birchall, Fortune, 2 Oct. 2026

No single state, no matter how strong or aggressive, can insulate itself from these risks alone. — Elizabeth Shackelford, Chicago Tribune, 2 Oct. 2026

In most cases, consumers are largely insulated from that premium shock, experts said. — Greg Iacurci, CNBC, 2 Oct. 2026

To insulate its power consumers, TVA is negotiating cost-sharing agreements with commercial partners. — Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 30 Sep. 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