protective

[ pruh-tek-tiv ]

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 ( def 4 ).

protective

/ prəˈtɛktɪv /

adjective

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

noun

1. something that protects
2. a condom

Derived Forms

• proˈtectively, adverb
• proˈtectiveness, noun

Other Words From

• 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of protective¹

First recorded in 1655–65; protect + -ive

Example Sentences

Storing your maskAfter removing your mask, proper storage is the final step for preserving your personal protective equipment until it’s time to put it on again.

From Popular-Science

Teachers in New York City threatened to strike before reaching an agreement with the school system in the fall over testing and personal protective equipment, a battle that forced the mayor to repeatedly delay the start of school.

From Washington Post

Standing next to Cecil with all that protective gear on, we also understand what those doctors and nurses do every day.

From Washington Post

His condition worsened and his daughter came from Colorado with personal protective equipment to visit him at a hospital.

From Washington Post

After all, back in the fall teachers said they’d only need proper protective equipment and testing procedures in place.

From Voice of San Diego

By drawing boundaries against wrongful conduct, law provides a protective zone of freedom within those boundaries.

From The Daily Beast

For instance, how do you balance honesty with any protective urge?

From The Daily Beast

And not that anyone would know I have a self-protective urge, but I do have one.

From The Daily Beast

Former Texas governor Ann Richards was a big fan of the Texas Rangers, a contingent of which was her protective detail.

From The Daily Beast

Overnight people shed their fears, their protective camouflage and their restraints.

From The Daily Beast

The ideas are simpler, the numina seem less cold and more protective, the worshippers more sensible of divine aid.

From Project Gutenberg

He put it in his garden, arranged a small protective wire cylinder around it, and sprinkled it with water.

From Project Gutenberg

But even an age of war and pestilence could be observed without torment from behind the protective shields of the Time Machine.

From Project Gutenberg

But I would tolerate, welcome, indeed, plead for a stiff protective duty upon foreign goods.

From Project Gutenberg

For this reason they have built up a protective instinct against fire.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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