insulation

/ˌɪnsjuˈleɪʃn/ (bre, ipa) · /ˌɪnsəˈleɪʃn/ (ame, ipa) · /ˌin(t)-sə-ˈlā-shən/ (ame, mw)

insulation — noun

1. the work of covering or filling a space so that warmth, cold, noise, or electric

1.名詞B2
釋義

the work of covering or filling a space so that warmth, cold, noise, or electrical currents are blocked from moving between the inside and the outside.

例句

The workers finished the insulation of the entire warehouse roof before winter arrived.

insulation + of + [location] for the process

Proper insulation of the copper pipes stops heat from escaping in cold weather.

同義詞
  • lagging

    specifically refers to insulating pipes or boilers; more technical than 'insulation'

  • weatherproofing

    broader — includes protection from wind and moisture, not just temperature or sound

文法句型

insulation + of + noun phrase

insulation + of + noun + against/from + noun

常見錯誤

We need to do an insulation of the house.
We need to insulate the house.
💡'insulation' is uncountable and refers to the process or material, not an individual action; use the verb 'insulate' for the action.

2. a material used to keep warmth, cold, sound, or electrical flow from travelling

2.名詞B1
釋義

a material used to keep warmth, cold, sound, or electrical flow from travelling from one area to another.

例句

The old house had no insulation in the walls, so the heating bills were enormous.

no insulation / lack of insulation

Owen installed thick foam insulation in the ceiling to block noise from the flat above.

[material] + insulation as a compound noun

同義詞
  • padding

    softer, usually for cushioning or sound-absorbing; less precise for thermal or electrical contexts

  • lagging

    specifically material wrapped around pipes or water tanks for thermal insulation

  • lining

    a layer on the inside surface of clothing, containers, or walls; not always insulating

文法句型

[type] + insulation

insulation + [noun]

layer/type of + insulation

用法筆記

Frequently combined with a preceding noun to specify the type: 'foam insulation', 'fiberglass insulation', 'spray insulation'. The modifier tells the reader what the material is made of.

常見錯誤

I bought an insulation for the attic.
I bought insulation for the attic.
💡'insulation' is uncountable; do not use 'an' or make it plural.

3. a condition in which a person, group, or system is kept apart from others and ha

3.名詞C1
釋義

a condition in which a person, group, or system is kept apart from others and has little or no contact with the outside world.

例句

The remote mountain village gave Manuela a feeling of insulation from city stress.

figurative: feeling/state of insulation from [something]

The country's long insulation from global trade slowed its economic growth significantly.

同義詞
  • isolation

    more neutral and commonly used for both physical and social separation; 'insulation' emphasises the protective or buffering aspect

  • detachment

    implies emotional distance or lack of involvement; 'insulation' focuses on being shielded from outside effects

  • seclusion

    voluntary withdrawal to a private place; 'insulation' can be involuntary or structural

反義詞
  • exposure

    the state of being open and vulnerable to outside influences

  • integration

    being fully part of a group or system, opposite of being kept apart

文法句型

insulation + from + [something]

用法筆記

This is a figurative extension of the physical meaning. Unlike the physical senses, it carries a negative or ambivalent tone — it can describe protective detachment or unwanted loneliness. The object of 'from' is usually an abstract noun (pressure, news, influence) or a social environment (colleagues, city life, world events).

常見錯誤

I want some insulation from work.' (too casual)
He sought insulation from the pressures of his job.
💡this sense is formal; it sounds unnatural in casual speech about everyday situations.