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

"This is for environmental protection. It's a social responsibility."

From Barron's

Proponents say the state offers a host of other benefits for trusts—including protection of assets from creditors and the ability to last forever—that tip the scales in its favor.

From The Wall Street Journal

The legislation will give workers access to sick pay and paternity leave from the first day on the job and contains new protections for pregnant women and new mothers.

From BBC

“The Approval allows the 120-mile Pipeline System to operate despite its lack of protection from corrosion the root cause of the 2015 oil spill,” the plaintiffs said in Wednesday’s lawsuit.

From Barron's

“The Approval allows the 120-mile Pipeline System to operate despite its lack of protection from corrosion the root cause of the 2015 oil spill,” the plaintiffs said in Wednesday’s lawsuit.

From Barron's

Related Words

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