insulation
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
material used to keep a building warm or to stop sound from passing through walls.
material used to reduce the rate of heat transfer or sound transmission. Often uncountable when referring to the substance generally.
Simple“The workers put thick insulation in the roof to keep the house warm during winter.”
In context“Installing high-quality fiberglass insulation in the attic is one of the most cost-effective ways to improve a home's energy efficiency.”
- 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
a covering on a wire that stops electricity from escaping or causing a shock.
a non-conducting material used to prevent the passage of electricity from a conductor. Typically refers to the protective coating on wiring.
Simple“The plastic insulation on the power cord was cracked, so we had to replace it.”
In context“The technician inspected the wiring for any signs of degraded insulation that might lead to a short circuit or a fire hazard.”
- 03 C1 Advanced
the state of being protected or separated from outside problems or noise.
the state of being detached or isolated from external physical or social influences. Often used figuratively to describe protection from harsh realities.
Simple“Living in a small village provided some insulation from the busy life of the city.”
In context“The diplomat's wealth provided a degree of insulation from the economic hardships affecting the rest of the population.”
SynonymsAntonyms
“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.”
From insulate + -ion.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.