Protect Definition & Meaning

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    • 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.

    An analysis of the correspondence by Bloomberg said this discussion related to Epstein's efforts to protect the 2008 deal he had struck with prosecutors.

    From BBC

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    The aim is to protect manufacturers from shocks like the scramble for rare-earth metals after Beijing curbed exports last year.

    From The Wall Street Journal

    Logo link to The Wall Street Journal

    He knew they sprayed a stinky smell to protect themselves, and he knew they were mammals, and he knew they were omnivores because they ate bugs and smaller animals and plants, too.

    From Literature

    And over the platform, he built a roof to protect the fire from rain.

    From Literature

    And he prayed that his family would be protected from the atom bomb disease called leukemia.

    From Literature

    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.

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