protective

[ pruh-tek-tiv ]

/ prəˈtɛk tɪv /

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See synonyms for protective on Thesaurus.com

adjective

having the quality or function of protecting: a protective covering.

tending to protect.

Economics. of, relating to, or designed to favor protectionism: protective tariffs.

defensive (def. 4).

QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of protective

First recorded in 1655–65; protect + -ive

OTHER WORDS FROM protective

pro·tec·tive·ly, adverbpro·tec·tive·ness, nounnon·pro·tec·tive, adjectivenon·pro·tec·tive·ly, adverb

sem·i·pro·tec·tive, adjectivesem·i·pro·tec·tive·ly, adverbun·pro·tec·tive, adjectiveun·pro·tec·tive·ly, adverb

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use protective in a sentence

Health care workers should also wear protective goggles to prevent rare cases of infection through the eye, MacIntyre says.
Coronavirus cases are skyrocketing. Here’s what it will take to gain control|Tina Hesman Saey|November 11, 2020|Science News
Hospital officials said they have more information on how to treat covid-19 patients, have sufficient personal protective equipment, and are taking steps to address staff burnout.
Area hospitals say they are prepared for potential new flood of covid-19 patients|Lola Fadulu|November 6, 2020|Washington Post
The trained nurses would watch for signs of an outbreak and teach caregivers about protective gear, hand-washing techniques and isolation procedures.
As pandemic raged and thousands died, government regulators cleared most nursing homes of infection-control violations|Debbie Cenziper, Joel Jacobs, Shawn Mulcahy|October 29, 2020|Washington Post
People flooded the county health department with complaints about a lack of protective equipment or social distancing at work, but they were told to contact the Indiana Occupational Safety and Health Administration, according to health officials.
‘There’s no help coming before the election’: Indiana’s RV capital faces its worst coronavirus outbreak alone|Todd Frankel|October 29, 2020|Washington Post

In the spring, the largest contracts went to vendors for ventilators and millions of pieces of protective equipment amid a severe global supply shortage.
The Questionable Line Items of Illinois’ COVID-19 Spending|by Ash Ngu|October 29, 2020|ProPublica
In speaking with women close in age to Clinton, it is easy to get a sense of protectiveness of her.
Hillary Clinton Supporters Are Divided Over Her Potential 2016 Run|David Freedlander|June 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He believes Diana was hounded to her death, and friends claim the single biggest driving force in his life is protectiveness.
Citizen Kate|The Daily Beast|April 3, 2011|DAILY BEAST
He did not yet dream of love in connection with her, but he was conscious of a passion of surprised admiration and protectiveness.
The Butterfly House|Mary E. Wilkins Freeman
This invention was in the class with the gun and gun-cotton, in the sense that it enhanced the self-protectiveness of the Machine.
Invention|Bradley A. Fiske
If he had entered with a pistol in his hand he would scarcely have disturbed her trust in his protectiveness.
Tess of the d'Urbervilles|Thomas Hardy
Anna's youth, her fervor, and her remarkable ability drew out all of Susan's motherly instincts of affection and protectiveness.
Susan B. Anthony|Alma Lutz
But women are afraid to marry the extreme type even when the feeling he prompts is more than mere protectiveness.
How to Analyze People on Sight|Elsie Lincoln Benedict and Ralph Paine Benedict

British Dictionary definitions for protective

protective

/ (prəˈtɛktɪv) /

adjective

giving or capable of giving protection

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

noun

something that protects

a condom

Derived forms of protective

protectively, adverbprotectiveness, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

protective

Origin of protective

OTHER WORDS FROM protective

Words related to protective

How to use protective in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for protective

Derived forms of protective