insulate

verb

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

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

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.
Despite rules intended to prevent public officials from personally profiting from government policies, Trump has worked to insulate his business ventures and those of his allies from government oversight. Faisal Kutty, Newsweek, 11 Mar. 2025 Another less obvious benefit is the ability to insulate oneself from the damage that public perception can cause in the wake of a breach. Chris Novak, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2025 Reality check: Rather than insulate D.C. from a financial downturn, the federal government is causing one. Cuneyt Dil, Axios, 5 Mar. 2025 Germany’s Fresenius Medical Care said that tariffs would likely hit the group’s supply of dialysis machines and consumable products to the U.S., even as some of the company’s U.S.-based manufacturing remains insulated. Karen Gilchrist, CNBC, 4 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for insulate

Word History

Etymology

Latin insula

First Known Use

circa 1741, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of insulate was circa 1741

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Insulate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/insulate. Accessed 16 Mar. 2025.

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

More from Merriam-Webster on insulate

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