protection

American  

[pruh-tek-shuhn] / prəˈtɛk ʃən /

noun

1. the act of protecting or the state of being protected; preservation from injury or harm.

   Synonyms:

   safety, refuge, security

2. a thing, person, or group that protects.

   This vaccine is a protection against disease.

   Synonyms:

   bulwark, shield, defense, guard

3. patronage.

   Synonyms:

   sponsorship, aegis

4. Insurance. coverage.

5. Informal.

   1. money paid to racketeers for a guarantee against threatened violence.

   2. bribe money paid to the police, politicians, or other authorities for overlooking criminal activity.

6. Economics. protectionism.

7. a document that assures safety from harm, delay, or the like, for the person, persons, or property specified in it.

   Synonyms:

   permit, pass

8. Archaic. a document given by the U.S. customs authorities to a sailor traveling abroad certifying that the holder is a citizen of the U.S.

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protection British  

/ prəˈtɛkʃən /

noun

1. the act of protecting or the condition of being protected

2. something that protects

3. 1. the imposition of duties or quotas on imports, designed for the protection of domestic industries against overseas competition, expansion of domestic employment, etc

   2. Also called: protectionism.  the system, policy, or theory of such restrictions Compare free trade

4. a document that grants protection or immunity from arrest or harassment to a person, esp a traveller

5. mountaineering security on a climb provided by running belays, etc

6. informal

   1. Also called: protection money.  money demanded by gangsters for freedom from molestation

   2. freedom from molestation purchased in this way

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Related Words

See cover.

Other Word Forms

• nonprotection noun
• overprotection noun
• protectional adjective
• protectionism noun
• protectionist noun

Etymology

Origin of protection

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English proteccio(u)n, from Late Latin prōtēctiōn-, stem of prōtēctiō “shelter,” literally, “a covering in front”; equivalent to protect + -ion

Example Sentences

Armoring them with steel wires provides some protection against crushing, but can’t reliably stop snag damage if the anchor of a large ship hooks it and pulls, Stronge said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 9, 2026

"He expanded our sense of what exploration can be," REI said, adding that Whittaker also became a prominent voice advocating for the protection of the outdoors.

From BBC • Apr. 8, 2026

Even Richard Nixon in his darkest, and sometimes drunken, moments had the good sense, or at least the protection afforded by his aides, to keep his most sadistic thoughts private.

From Salon • Apr. 8, 2026

We also have long-term-care insurance with inflation protection.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 8, 2026

Those shows make me appreciate the protection of a nice cage.

From "The World According to Humphrey" by Betty G. Birney

Related Words

• conservation
• insurance
• preservation
• safeguard
• safety
• security
• shelter
• stability