protect
verb (used with object)
to defend or guard from attack, invasion, loss, annoyance, insult, etc.; cover or shield from injury or danger.
had protected
-
past perfectof protect.past perfect
Used to express a completed action that took place before another specific past action occurred.
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.
The U.S. captured the 9/11 plotters, chased the Taliban who had protected Osama from Afghanistan, and diminished al Qaeda’s ability to attack again.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 10, 2026
Until now, Greece had protected the sector by allowing platforms such as Uber to operate only with licensed taxis.
From Barron's ● Feb. 18, 2026
The government said it had taken the decision "in the national interest" and that the tariff deal with the US had protected "hundreds of thousands of jobs in sectors like auto and aerospace".
From BBC ● Aug. 18, 2025
“Initially we didn’t think there were dots to connect here because we had protected equipment on all our transmission lines,” Pizarro said.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 11, 2025
The imaginary blanket shielded him from the cold as it had protected many generations before him.
From "Touching Spirit Bear" by Ben Mikaelsen
