protectionism
Americannoun
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Economics. the theory, practice, or system of fostering or developing domestic industries by protecting them from foreign competition through duties or quotas imposed on importations.
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any program, policy, or system of laws that seeks to provide protection for property owners, wildlife, the environment, etc.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of protectionism
First recorded in 1855–60; protection + -ism
Explanation
When a government limits its trade with other countries, especially by taxing imported goods, it's called protectionism. A country's protectionism restrains competition from foreign companies. In other words, it may cost more for a US company to make a t-shirt than a Chinese company, but if the US's protectionism means a high tax on the Chinese t-shirts (making them more expensive to US buyers), they won't threaten the American company's business in the same way. Quotas and regulations are other tools of protectionism. Protectionism comes from the idea that the government is protecting its industries.
Vocabulary lists containing protectionism
Australia and New Zealand - Introductory
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Australia and New Zealand - Middle School and High School
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U.S. Government - Middle School and High School
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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.
"We are very keen to see more attention to the guardrails that are necessary to protect financial stability in a world of AI," she told CBS News, seeking global collaboration on the issue.
From Barron's • May 7, 2026
Logan said it may be possible to pull the levers of monetary policy in ways designed to protect financial stability.
From Reuters • May 16, 2023
"We want to investigate what is possible first, whilst always making sure we protect financial stability," Mr Hunt said.
From BBC • Feb. 6, 2023
Attorney Damian Williams said she committed her crimes as she tried to protect financial crimes carried out by the now-imprisoned former chief executive of the credit union who provided her with numerous benefits.
From Seattle Times • Apr. 20, 2022
That increases the chance that when two people tie the knot, each will have a career or business that they want to protect, financial advisers say.
From Washington Post • Aug. 4, 2017
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
