protectorate

American  

[pruh-tek-ter-it] / prəˈtɛk tər ɪt /

noun

1. the relation of a strong state toward a weaker state or territory that it protects and partly controls.

2. a state or territory so protected.

3. the office or position, or the term of office, of a protector.

4. the government of a protector.

5. (initial capital letter) the period (1653–59) during which Oliver and Richard Cromwell held the title of Lord Protector, sometimes extended to include the period of the restoration of the Rump Parliament (1659–60).

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protectorate British  

/ prəˈtɛktərɪt /

noun

1. 1. a territory largely controlled by but not annexed to a stronger state

   2. the relation of a protecting state to its protected territory

2. the office or period of office of a protector

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protectorate Cultural  

1. A relationship between a strong sovereign nation and a weak nation or area not recognized as a nation. Once the strong nation has established a protectorate over a weak nation, it can control the latter's affairs.

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Etymology

Origin of protectorate

First recorded in 1685–95; protector + -ate ³

Explanation

A protectorate is a state or country that's protected by a larger, stronger one. Protectorate is another word for “protected state.” Protectorates are weak territories protected and partly controlled by stronger ones. A country defends its protectorate, but it doesn't own it, and it doesn't meddle with the protectorate's internal affairs. A protectorate is in a more equal relationship with its mother country than a colony. The more powerful country may help the protectorate with economic issues as well as defense. With a capital p, Protectorate refers to a specific government that led England in the 1600s.

Example Sentences

One more reason to which he alludes: The Jewish state serves as the protectorate of several historical and biblical Christian sites that millions of pilgrims visit each year.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 11, 2025

The French-speaking part of the former German protectorate, carved up between France and Britain after World War I, gained independence in 1960, joined a year later by British Cameroon.

From Barron's • Oct. 9, 2025

“We are neither a protectorate nor a colony of any foreign nation.”

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 25, 2025

But they are believed to have been intentionally introduced in East Africa around 1890s in a bid to tackle a mounting waste problem on the Zanzibar archipelago, then a British protectorate.

From BBC • Aug. 1, 2024

In Africa, French and British troops invaded the German protectorate of Togoland, while German forces attacked the British colony of South Africa.

From "The War to End All Wars: World War I" by Russell Freedman

Related Words

• outpost
• province
• territory