protective

American  

[pruh-tek-tiv] / prəˈtɛk tɪv /

adjective

1. having the quality or function of protecting: protecting.

   a protective covering.

2. tending to protect.

3. Economics. of, relating to, or designed to favor protectionism.

   protective tariffs.

4. defensive.

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protective British  

/ prəˈtɛktɪv /

adjective

1. giving or capable of giving protection

2. economics of, relating to, or intended for protection of domestic industries

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noun

1. something that protects

2. 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

First recorded in 1655–65; protect + -ive

Example Sentences

"It's normal for teens to be night owls, so let them catch up on sleep on weekends if they can't get enough sleep during the week because that's likely to be somewhat protective," Casement said.

From Science Daily

To protect the devices from chemical reactions with cesium, the waveguides are coated with a protective layer.

From Science Daily

Demyelination is the process in which the myelin sheath -- a protective, insulating layer surrounding nerve fibers in the brain and spinal cord -- is damaged or destroyed.

From Science Daily

This protective effect was confirmed using an advanced humanized mouse model.

From Science Daily

Captain Ben Stokes said his England players should not be protective of their positions in the final Ashes Test against Australia in Sydney.

From BBC

Related Words

• careful
• defensive
• jealous
• possessive
• vigilant
• warm
• watchful