insulator

[in-suh-ley-ter, ins-yuh-] /ˈɪn səˌleɪ tər, ˈɪns yə-/
noun
1.
Electricity.
  1. a material of such low conductivity that the flow of current through it is negligible.
  2. insulating material, often glass or porcelain, in a unit form designed so as to support a charged conductor and electrically isolate it.
2.
a person or thing that insulates.
Origin
1795-1805; insulate + -or2
Related forms
noninsulator, noun
Examples from the web for insulator
  • The dipped-fabric layers act as the conductors while the undipped fabric forms the insulator.
  • It's also, among other things, an extremely good acoustic insulator and virtually transparent.
  • It has a poor blood supply, which makes it an excellent insulator.
  • Operating on the principle of thermodynamics, the hay acts as an insulator and the retained heat slowly cooks the food.
  • Distilled water actually is a fairly good insulator.
  • The windshield isn't growing thicker or or becoming a better insulator.
  • Generally, this is a job for a professional insulator.
  • Further, its a good heat insulator not because of its temperature.
  • It's cool in the summer, and in the winter it acts as an insulator through the trapped air.
  • Snow banked over the covered laid down branches worked as a temperature changing insulator also.
British Dictionary definitions for insulator

insulator

/ˈɪnsjʊˌleɪtə/
noun
1.
any material or device that insulates, esp a material with a very low electrical conductivity or thermal conductivity or something made of such a material
Word Origin and History for insulator
n.

1801, agent noun in Latin form from insulate.

insulator in Science
insulator
  (ĭn'sə-lā'tər)   
A material or an object that does not easily allow heat, electricity, light, or sound to pass through it. Air, cloth and rubber are good electrical insulators; feathers and wool make good thermal insulators. Compare conductor.
insulator in Culture

insulator definition


A material that does not easily transmit energy, such as electric current or heat. Materials such as wood, plastic, and ceramics are insulators. Fiberglass is an example of a heat insulator. (Compare conductor.)