insulation

noun

in·​su·​la·​tion ˌin(t)-sə-ˈlā-shən How to pronounce insulation (audio)
1
: material used in insulating
2
a
: the state of being insulated
b
: the action of insulating

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 The gases are used in applications such as refrigeration, air-conditioning, building insulation, fire extinguishing systems, and aerosols. USA TODAY, 6 Mar. 2024 For the piercing and tattoo shop, that changeover started last September with checking the building's insulation and air sealing to determine what size heat pumps were needed. Jeff Brady, NPR, 4 Mar. 2024 There’s nothing worse than a lukewarm sip of beer but these glasses have a double walled insulation that can keep you beverage nice and chilled. Kat Romero, Rolling Stone, 20 Feb. 2024 Wooden bins provide better insulation and airflow, but may require more maintenance. Paige Bennett, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Feb. 2024 The location of a fourth bolt is obscured by insulation. David Koenig, Fortune, 7 Feb. 2024 But that wasn’t all: airplane guests who were seated nearby began offering their coats and scarves for extra insulation, the zoo said. Christina Maxouris, CNN, 7 Feb. 2024 Adapting to the changes requires installing energy-efficient HVAC equipment, adopting smart building technologies and optimizing the insulation of buildings. Karl Pomeroy, Forbes, 15 Feb. 2024 Life is weird sometimes and B-list fame is no insulation. Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 15 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'insulation.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1798, in the meaning defined at sense 2b

Time Traveler
The first known use of insulation was in 1798

Dictionary Entries Near insulation

Cite this Entry

“Insulation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/insulation. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

insulation

noun
in·​su·​la·​tion ˌin(t)-sə-ˈlā-shən How to pronounce insulation (audio)
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 How to pronounce insulation (audio)
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 transitive verb
insulated; insulating

More from Merriam-Webster on insulation

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