insulate
[ in-suh-leyt, ins-yuh- ]
/ ˈɪn səˌleɪt, ˈɪns yə- /
verb (used with object), in·su·lat·ed, in·su·lat·ing.
to cover, line, or separate with a material that prevents or reduces the passage, transfer, or leakage of heat, electricity, or sound: to insulate an electric wire with a rubber sheath; to insulate a coat with down.
to place in an isolated situation or condition; segregate.
QUIZZES
DISCOVER THE INFLUENCE OF PORTUGUESE ON ENGLISH VIA THIS QUIZ!
We’ve gathered some interesting words donated to English from Portuguese … as well as some that just don’t translate at all. Do you know what they mean?
Question 1 of 11
Which of the following animal names traces its immediate origin to Portuguese?
Origin of insulate
OTHER WORDS FROM insulate
Words nearby insulate
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
Example sentences from the Web for insulate
British Dictionary definitions for insulate
insulate
/ (ˈɪnsjʊˌleɪt) /
verb (tr)
to prevent or reduce the transmission of electricity, heat, or sound to or from (a body, device, or region) by surrounding with a nonconducting material
to isolate or detach
Word Origin for insulate
C16: from Late Latin insulātus: made into an island
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012