protector
noun
a person or thing that protects; defender; guardian.
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protector
American
[pruh-tek-ter]
/ prəˈtɛk tər /
noun
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protectors
plural
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a person or thing that protects; defender; guardian.
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English History.
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a person in charge of the kingdom during the sovereign's minority, incapacity, or absence.
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Also called Lord Protector. (initial capital letter) the title of the head of the government during the period of the Protectorate, held by Oliver Cromwell (1653–58) and by Richard Cromwell, his son (1658–59).
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protector
1
British
/ prəˈtɛktə /
noun
-
a person or thing that protects
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history a person who exercised royal authority during the minority, absence, or incapacity of the monarch
Protector
2
British
/ prəˈtɛktə /
noun
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
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protectorshipnoun
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protectressnoun
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subprotectornoun
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subprotectorshipnoun
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protectoraladjective
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protectorlessadjective
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of protector
1325–75; < Late Latin ( see protect, -tor); replacing Middle English protectour < Middle French
Explanation
A protector is someone who takes care of you. In most families, part of the parents' job is to be their children's protectors. A museum guard is a protector of valuable artworks, and a Great Pyrenees dog might work as the protector of a flock of sheep, barking at predators. You can tell from the word protector that it's all about protecting, or keeping safe from harm. In Latin, protect means "covered in front," from the verb protegere and its roots pro-, "in front" and tegere, "to cover."
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.
See Examples For:
Jackson, who is in his sixth season with the Rams and fourth as quarterback Matthew Stafford’s blindside protector, entered a diversion program that required him to complete probation and anger management classes.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 13, 2026
To keep our electronics safe, we have a whole-house surge protector, which filters out sudden electrical spikes in the grid that can harm our appliances.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 8, 2026
Walker Kessler, the Lakers’ big offseason acquisition, is out to prove he can be an elite rim protector and help unlock a more aggressive perimeter defense.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 29, 2026
Many Serb nationalists see him as a hero and protector, particularly in the Bosnian Serb entity of Republika Srpska, where his death sparked vigils.
From BBC ● Sep. 7, 2026
Though damaged and diminished, she was still our protector.
From "Hollow City" by Ransom Riggs
In both alleged letters, Harp reflects on her father’s suicide and thanks Trump for “always being there for me” as her “Guardian and Protector in this Life.”
From Slate ● Aug. 21, 2026
The teenager certainly seemed to enjoy her moment in the spotlight, unlike her younger sister, Rumi, who came on stage during Protector, shyly mouthing the words whilst being held by Beyoncé.
From BBC ● Jun. 5, 2025
Many critics, including Tomas Mier from the Rolling Stones, said Beyoncé's youngest daughter Rumi joining her on stage for Protector was "one of the most heartwarming moments of the evening".
From BBC ● May 2, 2025
I’m talking here about Protector, a new gig app that lets users book armed drivers and personal security agents.
From Salon ● Feb. 24, 2025
"All rise for Her Grace, Cersei of House Lannister, Queen Regent and Protector of the Realm," the royal steward cried.
From "A Clash of Kings" by George R.R. Martin
“Palaces of the Crow” charts Neriya’s survival in the forest with a band of other foundlings who were similarly saved by their winged protectors.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 22, 2026
A low-cost approach worked for batteries and surge protectors.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 27, 2026
"Thanks to his many protectors, he died peacefully of natural causes."
From BBC ● Jan. 3, 2026
"Microglia are not simply destructive responders in Alzheimer's disease -- they can become the brain's protectors," explained Anne Schaefer, the senior author of the research and leader of the project.
From Science Daily ● Nov. 22, 2025
Men with ear protectors picked up their jackhammers and tested them.
From "Frightful's Mountain" by Jean Craighead George
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