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protective

[ pruh-tek-tiv ]
/ prəˈtɛk tɪv /
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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.
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In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

Origin of protective

First recorded in 1655–65; protect + -ive

OTHER WORDS FROM protective

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

How to use protective in a sentence

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
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