insulate

[ in-suh-leyt, ins-yuh- ]
See synonyms for: insulateinsulated on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object),in·su·lat·ed, in·su·lat·ing.
  1. 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.

  2. to place in an isolated situation or condition; segregate.

Origin of insulate

1
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, adjective
  • pre·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, adjective
  • well-in·su·lat·ed, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use insulate in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for insulate

insulate

/ (ˈɪnsjʊˌleɪt) /


verb(tr)
  1. 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

  2. to isolate or detach

Origin of insulate

1
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