insulate

verb

in·​su·​late ˈin(t)-sə-ˌlāt How to pronounce insulate (audio)
insulated; insulating
Synonyms of insulatenext

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

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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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Fully agentic shopping remains a longer-term prospect, and each company has characteristics that could help insulate its business as the technology develops. — Alexa Lomonaco, CNBC, 9 Oct. 2026 Former Justice Department officials called the visit unusual, given the historical norm of insulating federal criminal investigations from political officials. — Sarah N. Lynch, CBS News, 8 Oct. 2026 Second, improvements in the daily lives of ordinary people in Gaza should be insulated, if not totally delinked, from the political process. — Khaled Elgindy, Foreign Affairs, 8 Oct. 2026 During the launch, a chunk of insulating foam broke off of the external tank and hit the bottom of the rocket booster, leaving a huge dent. — Tariq Malik, Space.com, 7 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for insulate

Word History

Etymology

Latin insula

First Known Use

1742, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of insulate was in 1742

Rhymes for insulate

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Browse Nearby Words

insulary
insulate
insulating board
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Cite this Entry

“Insulate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/insulate. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

insulate

verb
in·​su·​late ˈin(t)-sə-ˌlāt How to pronounce insulate (audio)
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

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