insulator

[ in-suh-ley-ter, ins-yuh- ]

noun

1. Electricity.
   1. a material of such low conductivity that the flow of current through it is negligible.
   2. insulating material, often glass or porcelain, in a unit form designed so as to support a charged conductor and electrically isolate it.
2. a person or thing that insulates.

insulator

/ ˈɪnsjʊˌleɪtə /

noun

1. any material or device that insulates, esp a material with a very low electrical conductivity or thermal conductivity or something made of such a material

insulator

/ ĭn′sə-lā′tər /

1. A material or an object that does not easily allow heat, electricity, light, or sound to pass through it. Air, cloth and rubber are good electrical insulators; feathers and wool make good thermal insulators.
2. Compare conductor

insulator

1. A material that does not easily transmit energy , such as electric current (see also current ) or heat. Materials such as wood, plastic, and ceramics are insulators. Fiberglass is an example of a heat insulator. ( Compare conductor .)

Other Words From

• non·insu·lator noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of insulator¹

First recorded in 1795–1805; insulate + -or ²

Example Sentences

The synthetic fiber insulation comes close to the weight and packability of down, and its fibers contain Aerogel, a very porous, very light material that’s one of the best insulators ever created.

From Outside Online

If that sounds like a strange direction to go down, it isn’t—a material that’s a terrible heat conductor could make a superb insulator, and materials like it could play a key role in bringing the world to net-zero greenhouse gas emissions.

From Popular-Science

An insulator is a material that doesn’t transmit energy easily.

From Science News For Students

Wool not only makes for great performance wear, but it’s also the ideal camper insulator for its ability to retain warmth, reduce energy loss and noise, and resist mold and mildew.

From Outside Online

It’s very light, can absorb immense heat, and is an effective insulator.

From Singularity Hub 

The sheath surrounding the nerves acts as an electrical insulator, increasing neural speed by 100-fold.

From The Daily Beast

It was more than a question of finding the perfect electrical insulator, though that would be handy too.

From Project Gutenberg

A wire was led through an insulator, so that the stream of electricity could be subjected to experiment in the Hut.

From Project Gutenberg

The insulators are of glass, protected by a wooden shield, of the pattern known as the Wade insulator.

From Project Gutenberg

For the insulation of the wires he recommended gutta-percha, which was then becoming known as an insulator.

From Project Gutenberg

In 1854 he introduced the pneumatic dispatch into London, and, in 1856, he patented his well-known double-cup insulator.

From Project Gutenberg