protective

[pruh-tek-tiv]

adjective

1. having the quality or function of protecting: protecting.

   a protective covering.

2. tending to protect.

3. Economics.,  of, relating to, or designed to favor protectionism.

   protective tariffs.

4. defensive.

protective

/ prəˈtɛktɪv /

adjective

1. giving or capable of giving protection

2. economics of, relating to, or intended for protection of domestic industries

noun

1. something that protects

2. a condom

Other Word Forms

• protectively adverb
• protectiveness noun
• nonprotective adjective
• nonprotectively adverb
• semiprotective adjective
• semiprotectively adverb
• unprotective adjective
• unprotectively adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of protective¹

First recorded in 1655–65; protect + -ive

Example Sentences

The cause of the fire has still not been determined, though authorities have said that polystyrene and protective netting placed on the outside of the windows facilitated its spread.

Read more on BBC

Only later did she learn they were pieces of burned protective netting from the neighboring building already engulfed in flames.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Equity-only put-call ratios have continued to march higher, though, as traders have been steadily buying puts — probably more as a protective measure than a bearish speculation.

Read more on MarketWatch

In these conditions, the protective effects were no longer strong.

Read more on Science Daily

Officials found flammable materials that may have accelerated the fire, including styrofoam used to seal windows, protective netting, canvas and plastic sheets.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• careful 
• defensive 
• jealous 
• possessive 
• vigilant 
• warm 
• watchful