protective
having the quality or function of protecting: a protective covering.
tending to protect.
Economics. of, relating to, or designed to favor protectionism: protective tariffs.
Origin of protective
1Other words from protective
- pro·tec·tive·ly, adverb
- pro·tec·tive·ness, noun
- non·pro·tec·tive, adjective
- non·pro·tec·tive·ly, adverb
- sem·i·pro·tec·tive, adjective
- sem·i·pro·tec·tive·ly, adverb
- un·pro·tec·tive, adjective
- un·pro·tec·tive·ly, adverb
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use protective in a sentence
“The bottom line is, the washing is part of the protective effect of a cloth mask,” MacIntyre says.
Coronavirus cases are skyrocketing. Here’s what it will take to gain control | Tina Hesman Saey | November 11, 2020 | Science NewsThose could include, for example, not having appropriate personal protective equipment or sanitation materials, or a lack of social distancing on the job.
Workers are getting fired and penalized for reporting COVID safety violations | lbelanger225 | October 23, 2020 | FortuneEmployees needed computers and security software to work remotely and protective equipment to work in person.
Grenades, Bread and Body Bags: How Illinois Has Spent $1.6 Billion in Response to COVID-19 So Far | by Ash Ngu and Jodi S. Cohen, ProPublica, and Jennifer Smith Richards, Chicago Tribune | October 22, 2020 | ProPublicaSo the team that had collected personal protective equipment from the Institute’s labs to donate to frontline health-care workers in the early days of the pandemic shifted its focus to preparing for the repopulation of campus.
This is not to dispute the effectiveness of social distancing and personal protective equipment when used correctly.
To his peers, he's an all-star eccentric who is pitied or clucked over protectively as often as he is envied.
Bucca must have placed his turnout coat protectively around several civilians, for it was later found still wrapped around them.
The Flying New York Fireman Who Shined on 9/11 | Michael Daly | September 11, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTA man in a similar suit remained protectively at his side as he took the 30 steps to a hospital entrance.
Infected Ebola Doctor Kent Brantly Is an Endangered Hero | Michael Daly | August 3, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTFor all his faults, he is personally disciplined; self-protectively aloof rather than casually detached.
Will the Second-Term Quicksand Swallow Barack Obama? | John Avlon | November 30, 2012 | THE DAILY BEASTHe protectively brought it back to his room, where he fed it banana and gently wrapped it in a warm cloth.
Protectively, man must go the whole distance and pretend that there is not one single thing which he can do for baby.
Seeing Things at Night | Heywood BrounThey walked along the corridor to the revolving doors, his hand tucked protectively under her arm.
Unthinkable | Roger Phillips GrahamWhen he passed her open door, or in front of her window, he hunched his shoulder protectively and averted his eyes.
A Maid of the Silver Sea | John OxenhamFemales in confinement were attentive to young, and, soon after parturition, licked them clean and huddled over them protectively.
Then he dropped down beside the girl, and put one arm over her protectively, an instinctive movement.
Astounding Stories, June, 1931 | Various
British Dictionary definitions for protective
/ (prəˈtɛktɪv) /
giving or capable of giving protection
economics of, relating to, or intended for protection of domestic industries
something that protects
a condom
Derived forms of protective
- protectively, adverb
- protectiveness, noun
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
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