Protect Definition & Meaning

American

British

Related Words

Other Word Forms

Etymology

Examples

Related Words

Synonyms protect American [pruh-tekt] / prəˈtɛkt /

verb (used with object)

1. to defend or guard from attack, invasion, loss, annoyance, insult, etc.; cover or shield from injury or danger.

   Synonyms: shelter, screen Antonyms: attack

2. Economics. to guard (the industry or an industry of a nation) from foreign competition by imposing import duties.

3. to provide funds for the payment of (a draft, note, etc.).

verb (used without object)

1. to provide, or be capable of providing, protection.

   a floor wax that protects as well as shines.

protect British / prəˈtɛkt /

verb

1. to defend from trouble, harm, attack, etc

2. economics to assist (domestic industries) by the imposition of protective tariffs on imports

3. commerce to provide funds in advance to guarantee payment of (a note, draft, etc)

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Related Words

See defend.

Other Word Forms

• overprotect verb (used with object)
• protectability noun
• protectable adjective
• protectibility noun
• protectible adjective
• quasi-protected adjective
• semiprotected adjective
• unprotectable adjective
• unprotected adjective
• well-protected adjective

Etymology

Origin of protect

First recorded in 1520–30; from Latin prōtēctus “covered in front,” past participle of prōtegere “to cover in front,” equivalent to prō- pro- 1 + tegere “to cover” (akin to toga, thatch )

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

She said, following both experiences, her perception of life back on Earth and the need to protect the planet had been heightened.

From BBC

The trust said this would create habitat for wildlife as well as support the working farm by creating firebreaks and protecting soil from erosion.

From BBC

In response a Ministry of Defence spokesperson said: "Our independent nuclear deterrent protects us every minute of every day and is the ultimate guarantee of our national security."

From BBC

Earth is protected by a strong global magnetic field that shields the planet from the Sun's high energy particles.

From Science Daily

Instead of protecting cells, the heightened repair activity can harm neurons and destabilize the genome, which may increase the risk of cancer.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• assure
• care for
• conserve
• cover
• cushion
• defend
• insulate
• keep
• look after
• preserve
• safeguard
• save
• secure
• shelter
• shield
• support

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.