protectionism
Americannoun
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Economics. the theory, practice, or system of fostering or developing domestic industries by protecting them from foreign competition through duties or quotas imposed on importations.
-
any program, policy, or system of laws that seeks to provide protection for property owners, wildlife, the environment, etc.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of protectionism
First recorded in 1855–60; protection + -ism
Explanation
When a government limits its trade with other countries, especially by taxing imported goods, it's called protectionism. A country's protectionism restrains competition from foreign companies. In other words, it may cost more for a US company to make a t-shirt than a Chinese company, but if the US's protectionism means a high tax on the Chinese t-shirts (making them more expensive to US buyers), they won't threaten the American company's business in the same way. Quotas and regulations are other tools of protectionism. Protectionism comes from the idea that the government is protecting its industries.
Vocabulary lists containing protectionism
Australia and New Zealand - Introductory
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Australia and New Zealand - Middle School and High School
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U.S. Government - Middle School and High School
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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.
But another side effect of the war could provide some breathing room: rising protectionism.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 19, 2026
Over four days in Cameroon's capital Yaounde, trade ministers from around the world will try to revitalise an institution weakened by geopolitical strains, stalled negotiations and rising protectionism.
From Barron's • Mar. 26, 2026
"The rise of the 'Global South' and the reshaping of the global trade and investment landscape will unlock new markets and new growth areas for Hong Kong" despite protectionism and fragmentation, he added.
From Barron's • Feb. 25, 2026
"China has consistently opposed all forms of unilateral tariff increases and has repeatedly emphasised that there are no winners in a trade war, and protectionism leads nowhere," a Ministry of Commerce spokesperson added.
From BBC • Feb. 23, 2026
This novel form of protectionism was never put into place. once grew wild along the continent’s Pacific and Atlantic coasts.
From "1491" by Charles C. Mann
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
