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

The best protection would be the NATO membership that Ukraine has long been promised, but the U.S. has taken that option off the table. —Lorne Cook, Chicago Tribune, 14 Feb. 2025

What To Know The Office of Personnel Management (OPM), which serves as the human resources department for the federal government, gave the order to lay off probationary workers, who have not gained the protections that many other federal workers have, the AP reported. —Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 14 Feb. 2025

Its slim design fits easily into bags and pockets, including your favorite belt bag, while providing essential protection against digital theft. —Samantha Leal, Travel + Leisure, 14 Feb. 2025

Property records show that the enterprises were involved in loans to owners of low-income housing who then stripped the properties of affordability protections or are seeking to do so. —Jesse Coburn, ProPublica, 13 Feb. 2025

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