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protectant

American  
[pruh-tek-tuhnt] / prəˈtɛk tənt /

noun

  1. a substance, as a chemical spray, that provides protection, as against insects, frost, rust, etc.; protective agent.


protectant British  
/ prəˈtɛktənt /

noun

  1. a chemical substance that affords protection, as against frost, rust, insects, etc

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of protectant

1660–70, for an earlier sense; protect + -ant


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.

See Examples For:

She’ll go for a 30-minute walk outside wearing a weighted vest, UV protectant facial mask and sun hat, then spend another 30 in her home gym.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 13, 2026

The freezing process involves replacing the water in embryo cells with a protectant fluid and flash freezing with liquid nitrogen, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine.

From Seattle Times ● Feb. 21, 2024

After 30 years of 12-hour days in front of a screen, John needs progressive, blue-light protectant lenses to see.

From Washington Post ● Apr. 8, 2019

Wait a few hours for the protectant spray to absorb, and then brush again to restore texture.

From Slate ● Sep. 19, 2018

As a seed protectant, juglone is unsuitable because of its inherent toxicity to the non-cutinzed root surfaces.

From Northern Nut Growers Association Thirty-Fourth Annual Report 1943 by Northern Nut Growers Association

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