insulator

/'insjuleitə/

Thân thiện

An electrician wraps a wire with a rubber insulator.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A material or device that prevents or reduces the transfer of electricity, heat, or sound: An "insulator" is a substance or object that does not allow electricity, heat, or sound to pass through it easily. Its primary function is to block or slow down the flow of energy.
   • A non-conductive material: In physics and engineering, an "insulator" specifically refers to a material with very low electrical or thermal conductivity, such as rubber, glass, or plastic.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • Rubber is an effective electrical insulator, which is why it is used to coat electrical wires.
  • Fiberglass is a common thermal insulator used in building walls to keep homes warm.
  • The technician replaced the cracked ceramic insulator on the power line.

Advanced Usage

• "To act as an insulator": To serve the function of preventing the transfer of energy.
  • The thick wool coat acted as an insulator against the freezing wind.
• In a figurative sense: Something that prevents communication or connection.
  • His pride acted as an insulator, preventing him from asking for help.

Variants and Related Words

• Insulate (verb): To cover or surround something with a material that stops the transfer of heat, electricity, or sound.
  • We need to insulate the attic before winter.
• Insulation (noun): The material used for insulating, or the state of being insulated.
  • The house's insulation is very poor, so the heating bills are high.
• Insulative (adjective): Having the properties of an insulator.
  • The material's insulative properties were tested in the lab.

Synonyms

• Non-conductor: A substance that does not conduct electricity or heat.
• Dielectric (technical): An insulating material or a very poor conductor of electric current.

Related Phrases

• Insulator string (noun phrase): A series of insulators used in high-voltage power lines.
  • The storm damaged an insulator string, causing a power outage.
• Pin insulator (noun phrase): A type of insulator mounted on a pin for supporting electrical wires.
  • The old telegraph line used simple pin insulators.

Related Idioms

(Note: There are no common idioms that use the word "insulator" as a core component. The word is primarily technical.)

Học thuật

Noun

1. a material such as glass or porcelain with negligible electrical or thermal conductivity

Từ đồng nghĩa

• dielectric
• nonconductor