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

Some are insulated for polar freezes, while others are built to handle tropical climates. — Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 25 Sep. 2026

Governments are trying to insulate themselves from geopolitical volatility and fuel price instability, said Caspian Conran, lead economist at the global consultancy firm Baringa. — Jennifer McDermott, Los Angeles Times, 23 Sep. 2026

Upon taking office, Lamont and his wife insulated themselves against such claims of self dealing with an ethics agreement. — Edmund H. Mahony, Hartford Courant, 23 Sep. 2026

As a result, the law school might have seen Fisher’s character review as a way to insulate itself from a lawsuit by Metze for wrongful termination. — Benjamin Wofford, New Yorker, 21 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