protect
verb (used with object)
to defend or guard from attack, invasion, loss, annoyance, insult, etc.; cover or shield from injury or danger.
had been protecting
-
past perfect progressiveof protect.past perfect progressive
Used to describe an action that was ongoing continuously in the past up until another past event interrupted it.
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.
He had been protecting the family from her mother’s decline.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 13, 2025
The Ukrainian soldiers who had been protecting the hospital had vanished.
From Seattle Times ● Mar. 21, 2022
The LNA said the units allied to it had been protecting the court rather than blocking it.
From Reuters ● Dec. 2, 2021
The elder Mr. Kennedy said his son, who attended Harvard, had been protecting a friend who had been called a homophobic slur.
From New York Times ● Aug. 2, 2019
The Athena Parthenos had been protecting the demigods, holding back the wrath of the earth, but even Athena’s might could only last so long against a primordial goddess.
From "Blood of Olympus" by Rick Riordan
