protégé

noun

pro·​té·​gé ˈprō-tə-ˌzhā How to pronounce protégé (audio)
ˌprō-tə-ˈzhā
Synonyms of protégénext
: one who is protected or trained or whose career is furthered by a person of experience, prominence, or influence

Examples of protégé in a Sentence

He was a protégé of the great composer.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
That part of the narrative involves her central role in propelling her proteges, Kim Foxx and Brandon Johnson, into positions of power in Cook County and Chicago. The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 31 Jan. 2026 Subscribe now Amalia Holguin is known for being the youngest protege from Kobe Bryant’s Mambas youth girls basketball team. Dan Albano, Oc Register, 28 Jan. 2026 Michael Gandolfini’s Daniel Blake, Kingpin’s protege, and Arty Froushan’s Buck Cashman, the villain’s right hand man, also return in the trailer. Jordan Moreau, Variety, 27 Jan. 2026 Assistant head coach Gus Bradley was thought to be next in line if his protege Saleh left, but that just seems too easy and is by no means a slam dunk. Vic Tafur, New York Times, 21 Jan. 2026 The current prime minister, Abe’s protege Sanae Takaichi, has called snap polls next month to capitalize on her rising popularity while hoping to rebuild the LDP brand. Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 21 Jan. 2026 Similar views are now represented by his protege Sanae Takaichi, who took office in October as Japan’s first female prime minister. Mari Yamaguchi, Los Angeles Times, 21 Jan. 2026 The Bill Belichick protege tree hadn’t impressed most NFL observers. Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Jan. 2026 Head coach and mentor Kenny Dillingham has already wished his former protege luck in his future endeavors, as he is set to be one of the top candidates transferring this offseason. Tyler Erzberger, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

French, from past participle of protéger to protect, from Middle French, from Latin protegere

First Known Use

1786, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of protégé was in 1786

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Protégé.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prot%C3%A9g%C3%A9. Accessed 3 Feb. 2026.

Kids Definition

protégé

noun
pro·​té·​gé ˈprōt-ə-ˌzhā How to pronounce protégé (audio)
: a person under the care or training of someone influential especially for the furthering of his or her career
Etymology

French, from protéger "to protect"

More from Merriam-Webster on protégé

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster