protection

noun

pro·​tec·​tion prə-ˈtek-shən 

1

: the act of protecting : the state of being protected

2

a

: one that protects

b

: supervision or support of one that is smaller and weaker

c

: a contraceptive device (such as a condom)

3

: the freeing of the producers of a country from foreign competition in their home market by restrictions (such as high duties) on foreign competitive goods

4

a

: immunity from prosecution purchased by criminals through bribery

b

: money extorted by racketeers posing as a protective association

5

: coverage sense 1a

6

: anchoring equipment placed in cracks for safety while rock climbing

Synonyms

• aegis
• egis
• ammunition
• armor
• buckler
• cover
• defense
• guard
• safeguard
• screen
• security
• shield
• wall
• ward

Examples of protection in a Sentence

He fights for the protection of the environment.

Hard hats provide protection for the workers' heads.

The witness was placed under police protection.

Recent Examples on the Web

Again, all of this happens on-device for privacy protection. —Davey Winder, Forbes, 23 Oct. 2024

Again, this is for protection in case of divorce, or even escaping financial abuse. —Alicia Adamczyk, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2024

Witness 36 was developed by Yosi, the Regretful Spy creator Daniel Burman and follows a woman who creates identities for an international witness protection program. —Max Goldbart, Deadline, 23 Oct. 2024

In it, a young woman who creates new identities at an extraterritorial witness protection program meets a guy at a bar one night whose personal story is exactly the same as one of the identities she’s thought up. —John Hopewell, Variety, 23 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing protection

• cathodic protection
• equal protection
• extreme risk protection order
• personal protection equipment
• self-protection
• sun protection factor

Kids Definition

protection

noun

pro·​tec·​tion prə-ˈtek-shən 

1

a

: the act of protecting

under our protection

b

: the state of being protected

the open boat offered no protection from the weather

2

: a person or thing that protects

Legal Definition

protection

noun

pro·​tec·​tion

1

: the act of protecting : the state of being protected

entitled to constitutional protection

2

a

: one that protects

b

: supervision or support of one having less power

protection of endangered species

3

: the freeing of the producers of goods of a country from foreign competition in their home market by restrictions (as high duties) on foreign competitive goods

4

a

: immunity from prosecution purchased by criminals through bribery

b

: money extorted by racketeers posing as a protective association

5

: coverage for loss provided by insurance