protection

American  

[pruh-tek-shuhn] / prəˈtɛk ʃən /

noun

protections plural

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 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

---

Synonym Usage

See cover.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

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

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• protections
  plural

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

Explanation

Protection refers to keeping something or someone safe. Through protection, we shelter and defend things. Since protecting is to shelter from harm, protection is the act of doing so. Children are under the protection of their parents, who keep them safe. The Secret Service is responsible for the protection of the President. Many famous people hire bodyguards, who offer protection. A security guard offers protection to a bank or store. Also, a house gives you protection from the weather. Valuable things and vulnerable people need the most protection. Protection keeps things and people safe.

Example Sentences

Arnold Kavaarpuo, executive director of Ghana's Data Protection Commission, told the BBC the government in Accra had objected to the deal it was offered for similar reasons.

From BBC • Jul. 7, 2026

Asked for comment, Environmental Protection Agency press secretary Brigit Hirsch told AFP: "Fireworks are awesome and we hope everyone enjoyed the incredible shows in and around our nation's capital to celebrate 250 years of America."

From Barron's • Jul. 6, 2026

Gwynne Wilcox sat on the National Labor Relations Board and Cathy Harris on the Merit Systems Protection Board, and both statutes allowed removal only for cause, after notice and a hearing.

From Slate • Jun. 30, 2026

The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection is advising residents in red flag areas of Southeastern California to be prepared to evacuate in the event a fire starts.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 26, 2026

They would have to call the Environmental Protection Agency, which has jurisdiction in cases of environmental contamination by an extreme biohazard.

From "The Hot Zone" by Richard Preston

Related Words

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