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

The result is something that’s splendid and sprawling while remaining insulated from major emotions (with the exception of the thread involving Argos, Odysseus’s faithful hunting dog, which could shatter the hardest of hearts). — Alison Willmore, Vulture, 15 July 2026

If done just right, the turf would grow together and form a cohesive, insulating layer. — Amelia Soth, JSTOR Daily, 15 July 2026

And with Brown, VJ Edgecombe and Dean Wade on the roster, James would also be insulated from defending on the perimeter at a high volume. — Tony Jones, New York Times, 14 July 2026

These entities are typically aimed at insulating the parent company from the risks and liabilities of a speculative investment. — Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 14 July 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