'vibration-isolating' originates from the English compound of 'vibration' and the present-participle form of 'isolate'. 'vibration' ultimately comes from Latin 'vibratio' (from 'vibrare' meaning 'to shake' or 'to move quickly'), and 'isolate' comes via modern English from Italian/Latin roots related to 'island' (Latin 'insula').

'vibration' comes from Latin 'vibrare' → Medieval/Scientific Latin 'vibratio' → English 'vibration'. 'isolate' came from Italian 'isolato' (past participle of 'isolare'), itself from Latin 'insula' meaning 'island', passing into English as 'isolate'; the compound 'vibration-isolating' is a modern technical formation combining these elements.

Individually, 'isolate' originally had senses related to making into an island or setting apart; over time it broadened to mean 'separate' or 'prevent interaction'. Combined with 'vibration', the modern compound came to mean 'separating or rejecting the transmission of vibration'.