insulate
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
to cover something with a special material so that heat, sound, or electricity cannot escape or enter.
to apply a non-conducting material to a surface or object to prevent the transfer of heat, sound, or electricity.
Simple“We need to insulate the attic to keep the house warm during the winter.”
In context“The contractor recommended that we insulate the pipes with foam sleeves to prevent them from freezing during the unusually harsh winter months.”
UsageOften used in the passive voice when describing buildings or wires.
- 02 C1 Advanced
to protect someone or something from harmful or unpleasant experiences or news.
to isolate or protect a person or group from outside influences, especially those that are unpleasant or challenging.
Simple“The wealthy family tried to insulate their children from the realities of the poor neighbourhood.”
In context“The central bank's primary objective was to insulate the domestic economy from the volatile fluctuations of the international currency markets.”
UsageUsually takes the preposition 'from'.
From Latin īnsula (“isle, island”) + -ate (verb-forming suffix) or from Late Latin īnsulātus (“made an island”), see etymology at -ate. First attested in the 16th century; the general verb īnsulō (“insulate”) is attested only in New Latin and postdates the English term, but influence from an otherwise unattested Medieval Latin counterpart cannot be ruled out. Piecewise doublet of isolate.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.