protective
Americanadjective
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having the quality or function of protecting.
a protective covering.
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tending to protect.
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Economics. of, relating to, or designed to favor protectionism.
protective tariffs.
adjective
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giving or capable of giving protection
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economics of, relating to, or intended for protection of domestic industries
noun
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something that protects
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a condom
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of protective
Explanation
Anything that's protective safeguards or watches out for something (or someone) else. Protective gear keeps you safe from physical injury, and a protective parent cares for and worries about their children. When you work with dangerous chemicals or toxic substances, it makes sense to wear protective masks or gloves, and a new bicycle rider is smart to wear a protective helmet. The first time you bring your new puppy to the dog park, you're likely to be protective of him, keeping him safe from bigger, older dogs. The Latin root of protective is protegere, "to cover in front, or to protect."
Vocabulary lists containing protective
“About Edward Jenner” from the Jenner Institute
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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.
He says has seen at least five other cooks die in front of him, and believes this is because the substances they were handling seeped through gaps in their protective clothing.
From BBC ● Jul. 13, 2026
Once that protective barrier is compromised, harmful microbial products can enter the bloodstream, reach the liver, and trigger inflammatory immune responses, including excessive activation of CD8+ T cells.
From Science Daily ● Jul. 11, 2026
Equipped with beds, mannequins, a mock laboratory, and protective gear, the simulation centre prepares doctors, nurses, and clinicians for deployments in DRC, or from regional countries at risk from the spreading disease.
From Barron's ● Jul. 11, 2026
For decades, scientists have studied the interaction between the Earth’s protective magnetosphere—generated by its iron core—and the otherwise-lethal “coronal mass ejections” from our sun.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 10, 2026
There I propped my backpack on the tabletop like a protective barrier and rested my cheek against the cool wood while I waited for my heart to stop racing.
From "Bye Forever, I Guess" by Jodi Meadows
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.
