insulator

noun

in·​su·​la·​tor ˈin(t)-sə-ˌlā-tər How to pronounce insulator (audio)
: one that insulates: such as
a
: a material that is a poor conductor (as of electricity or heat) compare semiconductor
b
: a device made of an electrical insulating material and used for separating or supporting conductors

Examples of insulator in a Sentence

Metal is not a good insulator.
Recent Examples on the Web The insulator on one chip affixes to the other when they are pressed together. IEEE Spectrum, 21 Feb. 2024 Thin layers can help trap warm air and act as insulators beneath a snowsuit. Katrina Cossey, Parents, 12 Feb. 2024 Standing on cardboard helps the body maintain heat as the airy material acts as an insulator that prevents warm air from escaping to cold concrete floors. Dillon Mullan, Baltimore Sun, 19 Jan. 2024 That’s not the case for an insulator, a material like wood, plastic, or glass. WIRED, 27 Oct. 2023 These pads are slightly recessed and surround by insulator. IEEE Spectrum, 21 Feb. 2024 Fire officials said the source of the smoke was an insulator that caught fire under a rail car in the Eastern Market station in the 700 block of Pennsylvania Avenue SE. Peter Hermann, Washington Post, 15 Feb. 2024 Wool is an excellent insulator and will harness the power of your body heat to warm you up. Maryal Miller Carter, USA TODAY, 1 Feb. 2024 Snow and ice are such good insulators that the temperature within a glacier is almost always right around freezing. Corey Buhay, Smithsonian Magazine, 1 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'insulator.' 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

1801, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of insulator was in 1801

Dictionary Entries Near insulator

Cite this Entry

“Insulator.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/insulator. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

insulator

noun
in·​su·​la·​tor ˈin(t)-sə-ˌlāt-ər How to pronounce insulator (audio)
: one that insulates
especially : a material that is a poor conductor of heat or electricity or a device made of such material

Medical Definition

insulator

noun
in·​su·​la·​tor ˈin(t)-sə-ˌlāt-ər How to pronounce insulator (audio)
: a material that is used to provide insulation
also : a device made of such material

More from Merriam-Webster on insulator

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