insulate

[ in-suh-leyt, ins-yuh- ]

/ ˈɪn səˌleɪt, ˈɪns yə- /

Save This Word!

See synonyms for: insulate / insulated on Thesaurus.com

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.

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of insulate

First recorded in 1530–40, insulate is from the Latin word insulātus made into an island. See insula, -ate¹

OTHER WORDS FROM insulate

non·in·su·lat·ing, adjectivepre·in·su·late, verb (used with object), pre·in·su·lat·ed, pre·in·su·lat·ing.re·in·su·late, verb (used with object), re·in·su·lat·ed, re·in·su·lat·ing.su·per·in·su·lat·ed, adjective

un·in·su·lat·ed, adjectivewell-in·su·lat·ed, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use insulate in a sentence

Your ever-frozen friend can wear it as a cozy garment indoors, or as an extra layer to insulate from the biting frost outside.
The hottest gifts to buy for the friend who’s always cold|Sandra Gutierrez G.|November 20, 2020|Popular-Science
While I could happily geek out on the latest technologies, I don’t think you need to obsess over things like weight-to-insulating ratios unless you’re planning on transporting it deep into the backcountry.
How to Choose the Right Water Bottle for You|Joe Jackson|November 17, 2020|Outside Online
Arentzen said winter must-haves include a warm hat, balaclava, insulated gloves, and insulated and waterproof hiking boots and gaiters to keep snow out of your boots.
Winter camping is not for the faint of heart. Here’s how to do it.|Melanie D.G. Kaplan|November 6, 2020|Washington Post
With the backing of CNN and the resources of WarnerMedia’s sales organization, Great Big Story would appear to have been born with a silver spoon in its mouth and insulated from the financial struggles any fledgling media company would usually face.
‘Two very, very different companies’: Why CNN’s Great Big Story failed to survive|Tim Peterson|November 2, 2020|Digiday

We build buildings that, like termite mounds, are not completely porous but not completely insulated either.
A Scientist Who Delights in the Mundane|Steve Nadis|October 26, 2020|Quanta Magazine
It had a wide brim and a tall crown, which created an insulated pocket of air and could also be used to carry water.
My Love Letter to the Stetson|Mark McKinnon|December 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Sena might have felt insulated from suspicion in part because of his friendly relationship with local police.
The Father Who Made His Kids Have Sex With a Dog|John L. Smith|December 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He takes a 2-gallon jug of water out of his freezer and puts it in his insulated lunch bag.
‘Degree Mills’ Are Exploiting Veterans and Making Millions Off the GI Bill|Aaron Glantz|June 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The popularity of hospitalists has increased dramatically in the last two decades, but they tread an insulated path.
Meet Obama’s Controversial Surgeon General Nominee|Soumitra R. Eachempati, MD|February 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Insulated from ruin, networked into success, failing upward and retiring in splendor are commonplace.
The Music Industry Is Dying? Great|James Poulos|December 26, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Collectively, Christians can give diffusion to it with an efficiency vastly beyond the sum of all their insulated efforts.
The Ordinance of Covenanting|John Cunningham
How dare they split it into detached portions, each insulated, and without leaving a common centre of strength and union?
Journal of a Voyage to Brazil|Maria Graham
The ship levelled off; the ball was thrust forward, and the thunder from the stern was deafening despite their insulated walls.
Astounding Stories, May, 1931|Various
Therefore, the wires must be encased or insulated in some material that will not admit water and is not itself a conductor.
St. Nicholas, Vol. 5, No. 5, March, 1878|Various
Four bindings should then be mounted on the inside of the case and all insulated from it with the exception of number 1.
The Boy Mechanic, Book 2|Various

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

insulate

Origin of insulate

OTHER WORDS FROM insulate

Words related to insulate

How to use insulate in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for insulate

Word Origin for insulate