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

Full independence came in 1970, freeing Tonga from its era as a British protectorate. —Rob Crossan, JSTOR Daily, 21 June 2024

In 1942, during World War II, Japanese forces captured the British protectorate of North Borneo. —Lorenzino Estrada, The Arizona Republic, 12 June 2024

Gaza became an Egyptian protectorate, and the West Bank was annexed by Jordan. —Tom Segev, Foreign Affairs, 23 Apr. 2024

The National Center of Meteorology in Abu Dhabi said the rain in the UAE surpassed anything since records began in 1949, when the area was still a British protectorate and before the discovery of oil. —Denise Chow, NBC News, 17 Apr. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1662, in the meaning defined at sense 1b

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