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

Embassy in Riyadh, like most American posts around the world, doesn’t operate its own air defenses, instead relying on the host country for protection and advanced firefighting.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 4, 2026

The expanded plan now includes war hull risk, protection and indemnity, and cargo insurance, with Chubb as the lead underwriter.

From Barron's • Apr. 3, 2026

This will not only provide extra protection during a storm, but the price relief could make a big difference in the ongoing costs of homeownership.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 3, 2026

Having seen these effects among children living along the Salton Sea, we believe the protection of local air quality is crucial for the health of children in the Imperial Valley.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2026

The Uncle cleared the path for Thorn and Seven, dispatching monstruos as they ran to the center of town, where they would hopefully find protection and safety.

From "Witchlings" by Claribel A. Ortega

Related Words

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