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

Like all new plants, moss phlox should be watered regularly until the ground freezes and mulched in late fall to insulate the roots against the winter cold. — Nadia Hassani, The Spruce, 6 Sep. 2026

An inflatable sphere not only cannot tip over, but the form factor also insulates its internal components from sharp rocks, dust, and the huge temperature swings from over 93 °C in sunlit spots to minus 240 °C in the shade inside lunar craters. — IEEE Spectrum, 3 Sep. 2026

Right now, that means shoveling rocks, insulating and backfilling the basement of the American Hotel, the original hotel in the town which burned down in 2020. — Jordan Greene, PEOPLE, 2 Sep. 2026

That thick, insulating double coat remains one of the breed’s most recognizable features. — Pat Mueller, USA Today, 1 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