protectorate

noun

pro·​tec·​tor·​ate prə-ˈtek-t(ə-)rət 

1

a

: government by a protector

b

Protectorate : 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

Critics will claim that trading Canadian or Danish oversight for an American protectorate merely swaps one master for another. —Barry Scott Zellen, Hartford Courant, 12 June 2026

Pashinyan has implemented the complete transformation of Armenia’s position in the region and the world, going from a de facto protectorate of Russia to one bordering on hostility. —Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 8 June 2026

With very few exceptions, an end was declared, not only to empires, but also to city-states, duchies, principalities, emirates, sultanates, caliphates, khanates, agencies, princely states, colonies, suzerains, dependencies, mandates, tributaries, condominia and protectorates. —Literary Hub, 18 May 2026

After the British protectorate ended in 1971, these states came together to form the United Arab Emirates (UAE). —Anatol Lieven, Twin Cities, 10 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1662, in the meaning defined at sense 1b

Rhymes for protectorate

• directorate
• electorate
• inspectorate

Kids 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