protectionism

[ pruh-tek-shuh-niz-uhm ]

/ prəˈtɛk ʃəˌnɪz əm /

Save This Word!

noun

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.

QUIZ

QUIZ YOURSELF ON "WAS" VS. "WERE"!

Were you ready for a quiz on this topic? Well, here it is! See how well you can differentiate between the uses of "was" vs. "were" in this quiz.

Question 1 of 7

“Was” is used for the indicative past tense of “to be,” and “were” is only used for the subjunctive past tense.

true

false

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of protectionism

First recorded in 1855–60; protection + -ism

OTHER WORDS FROM protectionism

pro·tec·tion·ist, noun, adjectivepro·tec·tion·is·tic, adjectivean·ti·pro·tec·tion·ist, noun, adjective

How to use protectionism in a sentence

President Obama saved 1,000 jobs by embracing a protectionist policy on tires.
Presidential Town Hall Debate Live Blog|Justin Green|October 16, 2012|DAILY BEAST
The FN has become a protectionist, anticapitalist party of the dislocated working classes.
Euro Riot Watch|David Frum|April 30, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Then there is always Congress, threatening a rash of protectionist bills directed solely at China.
We're Handling China All Wrong|Jeffrey E. Garten|February 17, 2010|DAILY BEAST
Instead of repealing the Act which had done so much harm, the true protectionist policy of further restraint was adopted.
Ireland Under the Tudors, Vol. II (of 3)|Richard Bagwell

A motley majority in the Reichstag not only accepts, but improves upon his protectionist demands.
Great Men and Famous Women. Vol. 4 of 8|Various
The English trading classes resented the shortage of cotton and the high duties which the protectionist North was imposing.
The Canadian Dominion|Oscar D. Skelton
In Europe the swing to free trade had halted, and nation after nation was becoming aggressively protectionist.
The Canadian Dominion|Oscar D. Skelton
For the protectionist colonies preference would mean only a reduction of an existing tariff.
The Canadian Dominion|Oscar D. Skelton