Insulate
IN-suh-leyt
/ˈɪnsəleɪt/
To protect from heat, cold, or noise by surrounding with a non-conducting material.
In clothing, it means trapping body heat and blocking cold air from entering, usually achieved by trapping pockets of dead air within fabric fibers.
The story behind the word. From the Latin word 'insulatus', which literally means 'to make into an island' (from 'insula', meaning island). To insulate something is to cut it off from its surroundings, effectively turning it into an 'island' protected from the surrounding cold.
Word relationships
- shield: Shield implies a physical barrier against impact or wind, while insulate specifically refers to blocking the transfer of heat, cold, or sound.
- conduct: To conduct means to easily transmit heat or electricity, rather than blocking it.
Commonly confused with
- Isolate: Isolate means to set apart or detach from others completely, while insulate means to protect from external temperature or sound.
Word family
- insulation (Noun): The material or act of protecting against heat/cold loss.
- insulator (Noun): A substance or device that does not readily conduct heat or electricity.
Collocations
- insulate against
- properly insulate
- insulate the core
- insulate with down
Example sentences
- "Feathers and down insulate birds against the extreme cold of winter by trapping air close to their skin." Explaining how natural down works.
- "To insulate a building properly, one must eliminate thermal bridges where heat can easily escape." A real citation from an architectural design manual.
Memory hook
Think of an 'INSUL-ated' jacket turning your body into a warm, cozy 'INSUL-a' (island) in a sea of cold snow. Make your body a warm island.
When not to use
Do not use when you mean to physically isolate someone socially (use 'isolate' instead).
Fun facts
- Air is actually a terrible conductor of heat, which makes it an excellent insulator. Most winter jackets don't warm you up; they just trap air that your body has already warmed.
Related words
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