Definition

1. Verb:
   • To place or set apart; to isolate: To separate something or someone from others, often to prevent contact, communication, or influence.
   • To protect from heat, cold, or noise by surrounding with insulating material: To add a material that reduces the transfer of heat, electricity, or sound.

Examples of Usage

• Verb (to isolate):

  • The manager decided to insulate the new trainee from the ongoing office politics.
  • A soundproof room is designed to insulate the musicians from outside noise.

• Verb (to protect with material):

  • It is important to insulate your attic to save on heating costs.
  • The electric wires must be properly insulated to prevent accidents.

Advanced Usage

• "to insulate someone/something from/against something": This structure is commonly used to indicate protection from a specific negative influence or condition.
  • The trust fund was set up to insulate the family from financial hardship.
  • Wearing a helmet helps insulate your head against impact.

Variants and Related Words

• Insulation (n): The material used to insulate something, or the state of being insulated.
  • Fiberglass is a common type of home insulation.
• Insulator (n): A substance or device that does not readily conduct electricity, heat, or sound.
  • Porcelain is an effective electrical insulator.
• Insulated (adj): Describing something that has been provided with insulation.
  • We drank from insulated mugs to keep the coffee hot.

Synonyms

• Isolate: To set apart or cut off from others.
• Protect: To keep safe from harm or loss.
• Shield: To protect or defend from a danger, risk, or unpleasant experience.
• Seclude: To keep (someone) away from other people.

Related Phrasal Verbs

(Note: "Insulate" is not commonly used with particles to form standard phrasal verbs. Its meanings are typically expressed using prepositional phrases like "insulate from" or "insulate against.")

Related Idioms

• To live in an insulated world/bubble: To live in a situation protected from the difficulties or realities that most people face.
  • Some celebrities live in an insulated bubble, unaware of everyday problems.

Verb

1. place or set apart
   • They isolated the political prisoners from the other inmates
2. protect from heat, cold, or noise by surrounding with insulating material
   • We had his bedroom insulated before winter came