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 of protection

• defense
• safeguard
• ammunition
• shield
• wall

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

Growing societal acceptance of and support for working mothers is part of that change, as is an NWSL collective-bargaining agreement featuring protections and provisions for mothers and childcare. — Pj Green july 24, Kansas City Star, 24 July 2026

This allows for herd immunity, the protection conferred upon a population when a certain percentage of the population become immune either from prior infection or vaccination. — Omer Awan, Forbes.com, 24 July 2026

An appeals court upheld part of her order earlier this year, though the protections only applied to the plaintiffs in the case. — Peter Charalambous, ABC News, 23 July 2026

The decision weakened the Voting Rights Act's protections against racial discrimination in redistricting, and has been followed by the dismantling of largely Black districts in Florida, Louisiana, Alabama and Tennessee. — Rahul Mukherjee, NPR, 23 July 2026

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

Rhymes for protection

• abjection
• advection
• affection
• bijection
• bisection
• collection
• complexion
• confection
• connection
• connexion
• convection
• correction

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