protectorate
noun
pro·tec·tor·ate
prə-ˈtek-t(ə-)rət 
1
a
: government by a protector
b
capitalized
: the government of England (1653–59) under the Cromwells
c
: the rank, office, or period of rule of a protector
2
a
: the relationship of superior authority assumed by one power or state over a dependent one
b
: the dependent political unit or territory in such a relationship
Examples of protectorate in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Elon Musk's assault on the federal government has supercharged Tesla's evolution from liberal status symbol to pride-of-MAGA protectorate.
—
Nathan Bomey, Axios, 13 Mar. 2025
De jure and de facto European protectorates, such as China, Egypt, Tunisia, and the Ottoman Empire, belonged to the gray zone of states that were nominally independent but in reality were under the thumb of European powers.
—Branko Milanovic, Foreign Affairs, 21 June 2022
Military setbacks forced Khmelnytsky to search for allies, and after the Pereyaslav Treaty of 1654, the Cossack lands became a protectorate of the Russian tsars.
—Karina Zaiets, USA TODAY, 13 Dec. 2013
Wharton visited the French protectorate to write a book that would appeal to tourists.
—New York Times, 20 Feb. 2025
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Nathan Bomey, Axios, 13 Mar. 2025
De jure and de facto European protectorates, such as China, Egypt, Tunisia, and the Ottoman Empire, belonged to the gray zone of states that were nominally independent but in reality were under the thumb of European powers.
—Branko Milanovic, Foreign Affairs, 21 June 2022
Military setbacks forced Khmelnytsky to search for allies, and after the Pereyaslav Treaty of 1654, the Cossack lands became a protectorate of the Russian tsars.
—Karina Zaiets, USA TODAY, 13 Dec. 2013
Wharton visited the French protectorate to write a book that would appeal to tourists.
—New York Times, 20 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for protectorate
Cite this Entry
“Protectorate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/protectorate. Accessed 29 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
protectorate
noun
pro·tec·tor·ate
prə-ˈtek-t(ə-)rət
1
a
: government by a protector
b
: the office or period of rule of a protector
2
: a small country ruled by a larger one
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