protocol

[ proh-tuh-kawl, -kol, -kohl ]

noun

1. the customs and regulations dealing with diplomatic formality, precedence, and etiquette.
2. an original draft, minute, or record from which a document, especially a treaty, is prepared.
3. a supplementary international agreement.
4. an agreement between states.
5. an annex to a treaty giving data relating to it.
6. Medicine/Medical. the plan for carrying out a scientific study or a patient's treatment regimen.
7. Computers. a set of rules governing the format of messages that are exchanged between computers.
8. Also called protocol statement, Philosophy. a statement reporting an observation or experience in the most fundamental terms without interpretation: sometimes taken as the basis of empirical verification, as of scientific laws.

verb (used without object)

1. to draft or issue a protocol.

protocol

/ ˈprəʊtəˌkɒl /

noun

1. the formal etiquette and code of behaviour, precedence, and procedure for state and diplomatic ceremonies
2. a memorandum or record of an agreement, esp one reached in international negotiations, a meeting, etc
3. chiefly US
   1. a record of data or observations on a particular experiment or proceeding
   2. an annexe appended to a treaty to deal with subsidiary matters or to render the treaty more lucid
   3. a formal international agreement or understanding on some matter
4. an amendment to a treaty or convention
5. See logical positivism
   philosophy a statement that is immediately verifiable by experience In fullprotocol statement See logical positivism
6. computing the set form in which data must be presented for handling by a particular computer configuration, esp in the transmission of information between different computer systems

protocol

/ prō′tə-kôl′,-kōl′ /

1. The plan for a course of medical treatment or for a scientific experiment.
2. A set of standardized procedures for transmitting or storing data, especially those used in regulating data transmission between computers or peripherals.

Other Words From

• pro·to·col·ar [proh-t, uh, -, kol, -er], proto·cola·ry proto·colic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of protocol¹

First recorded in 1535–45; earlier protocoll, from Medieval Latin prōtocollum, from Late Greek prōtókollon originally, “a leaf or tag attached to a rolled papyrus manuscript and containing notes as to contents.” See proto-, colloid

Word History and Origins

Origin of protocol¹

C16: from Medieval Latin prōtocollum, from Late Greek prōtokollon sheet glued to the front of a manuscript, from proto- + kolla glue

Example Sentences

They have the flexibility to do it and with no-contact protocols in place, it’s perfectly safe.

From Washington Post

The NHL, less than a month into an abbreviated season that has already seen 35 games postponed, announced new covid-19 protocols Thursday night in an effort to reduce the spread of the virus.

From Washington Post

To check for safety protocols and potential closures, visit the individual websites before you go.

From Outside Online

Many covid apps use the Google-Apple protocol, which is a system that keeps users anonymous.

From MIT Technology Review

Twitter recently posted an update to its Bluesky project, which is aimed at developing open protocols for a decentralized, Twitter-like social network.

From Axios

The new information consisted of Internet protocol addresses that Comey said are “exclusively used” by North Korea.

From The Daily Beast

And in a big departure from established royal protocol, Prince George might even get a—gasp—present to open on Christmas Day.

From The Daily Beast

There were not just one, not two but THREE breaches of protocol last night.

From The Daily Beast

What should the protocol be for engaging people on the street who offer unsolicited “compliments?”

From The Daily Beast

“New Jersey is not changing its quarantine protocol,” Christie spokesman Kevin Roberts told reporters in a statement.

From The Daily Beast

For a month before the Protocol was signed the relations between Spaniards and Americans were verging towards a crisis.

From Project Gutenberg

Three days later, on May 8, a protocol was signed concerning the Danish succession.

From Project Gutenberg

See the list of members in the protocol of the proceedings first published in the Bulletin de la Socit de l'hist.

From Project Gutenberg

At the end of the day, every Internet protocol is just a sequence of text sent back and forth in a prescribed order.

From Project Gutenberg

Domain Name Service is an interesting and ancient Internet protocol, dating back to 1983.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• agreement
• code
• contract
• covenant
• custom
• obligation
• pact

More About Protocol

What does protocol mean?

Protocol generally means an official set of procedures for what actions to take in a certain situation.

Protocol has many specific uses, but most of them deal with such a plan or the documents that spell out such a plan or agreement. Protocol is used in specific ways in the contexts of diplomacy, medicine, and computing, but it’s also often used in a general way in situations that require people to follow official procedures.

Example: His failure to follow the safety procedures was a serious breach of protocol.

Where does protocol come from?

The first records of protocol come from the 1500s. It’s derived from the Greek prōtókollon, which referred to a tag attached to a rolled papyrus manuscript that contained notes about its contents.

In the context of diplomacy (the conducting of relations and negotiations between nations), protocol refers to the formal customs, regulations, and etiquette that have been established to carry out such interactions. More specifically, it can refer to an international agreement, the first draft of a treaty, or an addition to it.

In medicine, a protocol is a formal plan for treating a patient, especially in a specific circumstance. In computing, protocol refers to a set of rules for formatting messages.

In general, the word protocol is used to refer to an official plan or a set of guidelines to be followed in certain situations. Protocols are often used to ensure safety. For example, a company might have a safety protocol for handling hazardous materials.

In the Star Wars series, the character C-3PO is a protocol droid, meaning he’s responsible for assisting with things like etiquette and translation (he’s fond of pointing out that he’s fluent in millions of forms of communication).

Did you know ... ?

What are some other forms related to protocol?

• protocolar (adjective)
• protocolary (adjective)
• protocolic (adjective)

What are some synonyms for protocol?

• plan
• agreement

What are some words that share a root or word element with protocol? 

• prototype

What are some words that often get used in discussing protocol?

 

• official
• procedure
• etiquette
• rule
• statement
• code
• diplomacy
• treaty
• formality
• convention

How is protocol used in real life?

Protocol is most commonly used to refer to official rules and regulations that are formulated so they can be followed in a future situation.

Having different Indigenous nations meeting with one another, following protocol, that's the kind of diplomacy that matters here, it's awesome to see.

— âpihtawikosisân (@apihtawikosisan) February 21, 2020

Our Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP) has been activated due to temperatures dropping later today.

If you know anyone who finds themselves homeless tonight please pass on the details below.#SWEP pic.twitter.com/glPE9kXirL

— Doncaster Council (@MyDoncaster) March 20, 2020

As I start voting for Oscars, I'm Bummed (hope not against protocol to say this) I don't have opportunity to vote for @jes_chastain

— Rod Lurie (@RodLurie) February 11, 2015

 

 

Try using protocol!

Which of the following words is LEAST likely to describe a protocol?

A. official
B. formal
C. willy-nilly
D. planned