Insulation

Pronunciation

• RP IPA: /ˌɪnsjʊˈleɪʃən/
• US IPA: /ˌɪnsəˈleɪʃən/
• Rhymes: -eɪʃən

Origin

From insulate

Full definition of insulation

Noun

1. The act of insulating, or the state of being insulated; detachment from other objects; isolation.
• 2013-03, Nancy Langston, Mining the Boreal North, Reindeer are well suited to the taiga’s frigid winters. They can maintain a thermogradient between body core and the environment of up to 100 degrees, in part because of insulation provided by their fur, and in part because of counter-current vascular heat exchange systems in their legs and nasal passages.
2. Any of a variety of materials designed to reduce the flow of heat, either from or into a building.
3. (engineering) The act of separating a body from others by nonconductors, so as to prevent the transfer of electricity, heat, or sound
4. (engineering) The state of a body so separated.
5. (electrical) a medium in which it is possible to maintain an electrical field with little supply of energy from additional sources.

Derived terms

• blanket insulation
• cellular glass insulation
• composite board insulation
• glass fiber insulation

Related terms

• insular
• insulate
• insulator
• isolate
• isolation
• peninsula