protect

verb

pro·​tect prə-ˈtekt How to pronounce protect (audio)
protected; protecting; protects

transitive verb

1
a
: to cover or shield from exposure, injury, damage, or destruction : guard
b
: defend sense 1c
protect the goal
2
: to maintain the status or integrity of especially through financial or legal guarantees: such as
a
: to save from contingent financial loss
b
: to foster or shield from infringement or restriction
salesmen with protected territories
protect one's rights
specifically : to restrict competition for (something, such as a domestic industry) by means of tariffs or trade controls
3
: defend sense 5
protect a lead

intransitive verb

: to provide a guard or shield
protects against tooth decay
protectable adjective
protective adjective
protectively adverb
protectiveness noun
Choose the Right Synonym for protect

defend, protect, shield, guard, safeguard mean to keep secure from danger or against attack.

defend denotes warding off actual or threatened attack.

defend the country

protect implies the use of something (such as a covering) as a bar to the admission or impact of what may attack or injure.

a hard hat to protect your head

shield suggests protective intervention in imminent danger or actual attack.

shielded her eyes from the sun with her hand

guard implies protecting with vigilance and force against expected danger.

White House entrances are well guarded

safeguard implies taking precautionary protective measures against merely possible danger.

our civil liberties must be safeguarded

Examples of protect in a Sentence

He had no raincoat to protect himself from the rain. She keeps her jewelry protected in a safe. You have to protect your business against fraud. New laws have been passed to protect your privacy. The forest is protected by federal law. The high taxes on imported goods are intended to protect domestic producers. Sunscreen helps to protect against sunburn. The insurance protects you against flooding. The insurance does not protect against damage caused by earthquakes.
Recent Examples on the Web Understanding and deciphering how mantis shrimp repair their cells could have implications in many a field, ranging from cancer treatments to protecting astronauts from cosmic radiation and possibly even reversing some of the effects of aging. Scott Travers, Forbes, 20 Oct. 2024 The movie starred Lili Taylor and Ron Livingston as Roger and Carolyn Perron, two parents who try to protect their children from malicious spirits in their new home. Keith Langston, People.com, 20 Oct. 2024 In a major step toward protecting the unique ground-dweller from loss of habitat around the San Francisco Bay and four other regions, the California Fish and Game Commission recently voted to make the owl a candidate for protection under the state Endangered Species Act. Lisa M. Krieger, The Mercury News, 19 Oct. 2024 In terms of protecting brand identity, providing all employees with assets and brand guidelines will ensure that their content is visually consistent with your own. Bradley Keenan, Forbes, 8 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for protect 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'protect.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin protectus, past participle of protegere, from pro- in front + tegere to cover — more at pro-, thatch

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of protect was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near protect

Cite this Entry

“Protect.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/protect. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

protect

verb
pro·​tect prə-ˈtekt How to pronounce protect (audio)
: to cover or shield from something that would destroy or injure : guard

Legal Definition

protect

transitive verb
pro·​tect
1
: to shield from injury or harm
protecting public health and safety
2
: to secure or preserve against encroachment, infringement, restriction, or violation : maintain the status or integrity of especially through legal or constitutional guarantees
protect a work against copyright infringement
the First Amendment protects speech
3
: to restrict competition for (as domestic industries) by means of tariffs or trade controls
protectable adjective
or protectible

More from Merriam-Webster on protect

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