protection

[pruh-tek-shuhn]

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.

protection

/ 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

Other Word Forms

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of protection¹

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

Synonym Study

See cover.

Example Sentences

It added day one protection against discrimination remained and other new day-one rights to sick pay and paternity leave will still go ahead, coming into effect in April 2026.

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Mr Lakanwal came to the US in 2021 under a programme that offered special immigration protections to Afghans in the wake of America's withdrawal from Afghanistan.

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The world's top wildlife trade body rejected new protections for eels on Thursday in a secret ballot at talks in Uzbekistan.

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In a post on X, the agency said: "The protection and safety of our homeland and of the American people remains our singular focus and mission."

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"Be it in the army, civil protection, civil service or voluntary firefighters, the idea is for every young person to contribute to the collective wellbeing," she said.

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Related Words

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