insulator

Word relationships

• nonconductor: Nonconductor is a literal, descriptive term for any material that doesn't conduct, while insulator often implies a material or device specifically designed or used to block flow.

• conductor: A conductor is a material that allows electricity or heat to flow through it with ease.

Commonly confused with

• insulation: Insulation is the mass of material used to insulate something (like foam in a wall), while an insulator is a specific object or material type that blocks current or heat.

Word family

• insulate (verb): To protect by surrounding with a material that prevents the loss of heat or the passage of electricity.
• insulation (noun): The state of being insulated, or the material used to insulate.

Collocations

• electrical insulator
• thermal insulator
• good insulator
• ceramic insulator

Example sentences

• "The ceramic discs hanging from power line towers act as insulators to prevent high-voltage current from escaping into the metal towers." Explaining the design of high-voltage power lines.
• "Glass is an excellent insulator at ordinary temperatures, but when heated to redness, it becomes a conductor." A classic scientific treatise on electrical properties.

Memory hook

Think of a tropical 'island' (insula) isolated from the mainland; an insulator keeps electricity isolated from the rest of the world. An insulator turns a wire into an isolated island.

When not to use

Do not confuse with 'insulation,' which is the material used collectively (e.g., fiberglass in walls), whereas an 'insulator' is often a specific component (e.g., ceramic cups on power lines).

Fun facts

• Air is actually an excellent electrical insulator, which is why power lines don't need rubber coatings—the air around them keeps the electricity isolated until it gets too close to the ground.

Related words

conductor, semiconductor, resistance

Explore more words

insulate, dielectric, electron, conduction, conductivity, Adiabatic