Word
insulation
Phoneticsin·su·la·tion, stress on the third syllable
US/ˌɪnsəˈɫeɪʃən/
UK/ˌɪnsuːlˈeɪʃən/
Definitions
01protective material
B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun
n. material used to keep a building warm or to stop sound from passing through walls.
n. material used to reduce the rate of heat transfer or sound transmission. Often uncountable when referring to the substance generally.
“The workers put thick insulation in the roof to keep the house warm during winter.”
“Installing high-quality fiberglass insulation in the attic is one of the most cost-effective ways to improve a home's energy efficiency.”
02electrical protection
B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun Science Technical
n. a covering on a wire that stops electricity from escaping or causing a shock.
n. a non-conducting material used to prevent the passage of electricity from a conductor. Typically refers to the protective coating on wiring.
“The plastic insulation on the power cord was cracked, so we had to replace it.”
“The technician inspected the wiring for any signs of degraded insulation that might lead to a short circuit or a fire hazard.”
Antonyms
03protection from outside influence
C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun Formal
n. the state of being protected or separated from outside problems or noise.
n. the state of being detached or isolated from external physical or social influences. Often used figuratively to describe protection from harsh realities.
“Living in a small village provided some insulation from the busy life of the city.”
“The diplomat's wealth provided a degree of insulation from the economic hardships affecting the rest of the population.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
Real-World Examples
“When the Baeli family moved in 10 years ago, their house had draughty PVC double-glazed windows with little insulation - they struggled to keep warm in the winter and overheated in the summer.” “Extra insulation can also help keep heat out in the summer, as well as reducing your energy bills and usage in the winter.” Etymology
From insulate + -ion.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/insulation