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

In addition to attracting foreign investment by putting the country’s technological modernity on display, the use of AI bots is designed to help insulate the government from international criticism of its democratic backsliding by burying or rewriting narratives that allege human rights abuses. —James P. Rubin, Foreign Affairs, 19 Nov. 2025

Attention swirled around the family, and Melinda thought carefully about how to insulate her children from it. —Chloe Schama, Vogue, 18 Nov. 2025

Their double coat helps insulate them against the cold and repel water. —Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Nov. 2025

From pariah to power broker The Crown Prince’s grip on power has insulated him from international prosecution. —Connor Greene, Time, 17 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Latin insula

First Known Use

circa 1741, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for insulate

• abdicate
• abrogate
• acetate
• activate
• actuate
• adsorbate
• aggravate
• agitate
• alginate
• alienate
• allocate
• amputate

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