insulate

UK: /ˈɪnsjʊleɪt/

US: /ˈɪnsəˌleɪt, ˈɪnsjə-/

US: (in′sə lāt′, ins′yə-)

Inflections of 'insulate' (v): (⇒ conjugate)

insulates

v 3rd person singular

insulating

v pres p

insulated

v past

insulated

v past p

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

in•su•late /ˈɪnsəˌleɪt, ˈɪnsyə-/   v. [~ + object] , -lat•ed, -lat•ing. 

1. Building to cover or separate with a material that prevents or reduces the passage of heat, electricity, or sound:
   They insulated the pipes and windows.
2. to protect (someone) too much:
   You can't insulate your children from evil forever.

in•su•la•tor, n. 

[countable] The cord acts as an insulator.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

in•su•late  (in′sə lāt′, ins′yə-), v.t., -lat•ed, -lat•ing. 

1. Building to cover, line, or separate with a material that prevents or reduces the passage, transfer, or leakage of heat, electricity, or sound:
   to insulate an electric wire with a rubber sheath; to insulate a coat with down.
2. to place in an isolated situation or condition;
   segregate.

• Latin insulātus made into an island. See insula, -ate¹
• 1530–40

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

insulate / ˈɪnsjʊˌleɪt/ verb (transitive)

1. to prevent or reduce the transmission of electricity, heat, or sound to or from (a body, device, or region) by surrounding with a nonconducting material
2. to isolate or detach

Etymology: 16th Century: from Late Latin insulātus: made into an island