protect

[ pruh-tekt ]

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

/ 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)

Other Words From

• pro·tecti·ble pro·tecta·ble adjective
• pro·tecti·bili·ty pro·tecta·bili·ty noun
• over·pro·tect verb (used with object)
• quasi-pro·tected adjective
• semi·pro·tected adjective
• unpro·tecta·ble adjective
• unpro·tected adjective
• well-pro·tected adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of protect¹

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 )

Word History and Origins

Origin of protect¹

C16: from Latin prōtegere to cover before, from pro- ¹+ tegere to cover

Synonym Study

See defend.

Example Sentences

They also trap silt and other sediment, protecting it from erosion and building up the shoreline.

From Science News For Students

A separate set of challenges comes with trying to protect private homes from wildfire smoke.

From Fortune

Infecting mice with a weakened strain of yeast not only protected them against more pathogenic yeast but also helped them fight unrelated Staphylococcus aureus bacteria.

From Quanta Magazine

Potts said she was disliked by some at the state Department of Public Safety for saying Alaska wasn’t doing enough to protect villagers.

From ProPublica

He will restore America’s reputation around the world as an ally in the struggle to protect and expand human rights.

From Washington Blade

They are not the actual traffickers, Yazbek says, so generally the other refugees protect their identity.

From The Daily Beast

When our elected representatives assume their respective offices, they take an oath to “protect and defend the Constitution.”

From The Daily Beast

You already protect you, and look after you in sickness and in health.

From The Daily Beast

Defenders of the status quo claim the old rules protect consumers.

From The Daily Beast

Luckily, Tor was prepared for this sort of assault, and has built-in defenses to protect against it.

From The Daily Beast

This provided for, I will protect myself from future insult, depend upon it.

From Project Gutenberg

It is therefore our duty, sir, to protect our principal, and we cannot consent to abate one jot or tittle of our rights.

From Project Gutenberg

And I will deliver thee and this city out of the hand of the king of the Assyrians, and I will protect it.

From Project Gutenberg

God comforts his church, promising to protect her for ever: he expostulates with the Jews for their ingratitude.

From Project Gutenberg

Tom willingly let the subject drop; his own desire was to appear natural, to protect her, to save her pain.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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