insulation

noun

in·​su·​la·​tion ˌin(t)-sə-ˈlā-shən 

1

: material used in insulating

2

a

: the state of being insulated

b

: the action of insulating

Synonyms

• aloneness
• isolation
• privacy
• secludedness
• seclusion
• segregation
• separateness
• sequestration
• solitariness
• solitude

Examples of insulation in a Sentence

These materials provide the insulation needed in cold weather.

she had grown up in such rural insulation that she'd never met anyone of a different race

Recent Examples on the Web

All that insulation is packed into baffles, which are woven instead of stitched into the jacket’s main fabric. —Frederick Reimers, Outside Online, 4 Nov. 2024

The walls are lined with 50 millimeter fiberglass insulation cotton, providing great thermal and sound insulation. —Toni Sutton, People.com, 2 Nov. 2024

Different types of insulation materials include fiberglass, spray-foam, double-reflective-foil, loose-fill, mineral wool, and rigid-foam, according to retailer Screwfix. —Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2024

The difference is that, far from being encouraged to bring such matters to light, Lawrence is bound by the media insulation of the conclave not to investigate the basis of suspicions. —Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 25 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1798, in the meaning defined at sense 2b

Kids Definition

insulation

noun

in·​su·​la·​tion ˌin(t)-sə-ˈlā-shən 

1

: the act of insulating : the state of being insulated

2

: material used in insulating

Medical Definition

insulation

noun

in·​su·​la·​tion ˌin(t)-sə-ˈlā-shən 

1

: the action of separating a conductor from conducting bodies by means of nonconductors so as to prevent transfer of electricity, heat, or sound

also : the state resulting from such action

2

: material used to provide insulation

insulate

ˈin(t)-sə-ˌlāt 

transitive verb

insulated; insulating