protect

verb

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pro·tect | \ prə-ˈtekt

protected; protecting; protects

Definition of protect

transitive verb

1a : 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

Other Words from protect Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Phrases Containing protect Learn More About protect

Other Words from protect

protectable \ prə-ˈtek-tə-bəl

\ adjective

protective \ prə-ˈtek-tiv

\ 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. See More

Recent Examples on the Web Heymann said studies should be conducted rapidly to determine if monkeypox could be spread by people without symptoms and that populations at risk of the disease should take precautions to protect themselves. — Maria Cheng, ajc, 23 May 2022 Markle paired the look with black heels from Aquazurra, a belt, sunglasses, and, of course, a big black hat to protect her from the sun. — Carrie Wittmer, Glamour, 23 May 2022 Heymann said studies should be conducted rapidly to determine if monkeypox could be spread by people without symptoms and that populations at risk of the disease should take precautions to protect themselves. — Marcia Cheng, Anchorage Daily News, 23 May 2022 Heymann said studies should be conducted rapidly to determine if monkeypox could be spread by people without symptoms and that populations at risk of the disease should take precautions to protect themselves. — Maria Cheng, BostonGlobe.com, 23 May 2022 Health authorities and vaccine experts say inoculating the youngsters will protect them and older adults against Covid-19, including parents, grandparents and teachers who are at higher risk of severe disease. — Jared S. Hopkins, WSJ, 23 May 2022 King’s villains are properly villainous—greedy corporate profiteers and the in-house lawyers who protect them. — The New Yorker, 23 May 2022 Borrow pieces from your interior and throw on outdoor covers to protect them from dirt and spills. — Brigitt Earley, Good Housekeeping, 23 May 2022 Bakary enlists in order to protect him, and soon enough the two are side-by-side in the trenches. — Jordan Mintzer, The Hollywood Reporter, 21 May 2022 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'protect.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Dictionary Entries Near protect

protea veld

protect

protectant

Statistics for protect

Last Updated

25 May 2022

Cite this Entry

“Protect.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/protect. Accessed 27 May. 2022.

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More Definitions for protect

protect

verb

pro·tect | \ prə-ˈtekt

protected; protecting

Kids Definition of protect

: keep from being harmed especially by covering or shielding : guard

protect

transitive verb

pro·tect

Legal Definition of protect

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