protective
Americanadjective
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having the quality or function of protecting.
a protective covering.
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tending to protect.
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Economics. of, relating to, or designed to favor protectionism.
protective tariffs.
adjective
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giving or capable of giving protection
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economics of, relating to, or intended for protection of domestic industries
noun
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something that protects
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a condom
Other Word Forms
- nonprotective adjective
- nonprotectively adverb
- protectively adverb
- protectiveness noun
- semiprotective adjective
- semiprotectively adverb
- unprotective adjective
- unprotectively adverb
Etymology
Origin of protective
Explanation
Anything that's protective safeguards or watches out for something (or someone) else. Protective gear keeps you safe from physical injury, and a protective parent cares for and worries about their children. When you work with dangerous chemicals or toxic substances, it makes sense to wear protective masks or gloves, and a new bicycle rider is smart to wear a protective helmet. The first time you bring your new puppy to the dog park, you're likely to be protective of him, keeping him safe from bigger, older dogs. The Latin root of protective is protegere, "to cover in front, or to protect."
Vocabulary lists containing protective
“About Edward Jenner” from the Jenner Institute
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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.
Relationships with a seal, an elephant and a rhino, for example — obsessive, protective, loving friendships — all seemed to end if not in outright tragedy, then in shattering heartbreak.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 21, 2026
He was sure there were better days in oranges to come—oranges were growing well beneath pricey protective screens, for instance—so long as there was anyone left to plant them.
From Slate • Apr. 20, 2026
"That action was witnessed by several ADF members, including those who were providing a protective cordon outside the compound," the documents continue.
From BBC • Apr. 17, 2026
The Egyptian queen Thutmose III was buried with gold sandals and protective gold toe caps.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 16, 2026
The Rwandan refugee who lived alone in an abandoned factory was now part of a family in which he played the role of protective older brother.
From "City Spies" by James Ponti
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.
