protect

play

verb pro·tect \prə-ˈtekt\

Definition of protect

transitive verb
1a : to cover or shield from exposure, injury, damage, or destruction : guardb : defend 1c protect the goal
2 : to maintain the status or integrity of especially through financial or legal guarantees: such asa : to save from contingent financial lossb : 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 5 protect a lead
intransitive verb
: to provide a guard or shield protects against tooth decay

protectable

play \-ˈtek-tə-bəl\ adjective

protective

play \-ˈtek-tiv\ adjective

protectively

adverb

protectiveness

noun

See protect defined for English-language learners

See protect defined for kids

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 of protect from the Web

To protect its ad business, Google has tried to improve user experiences in other ways.

— tali arbel, The Seattle Times, "Google’s Chrome browser to block some ads starting next year", 2 June 2017
In sports, protecting your teammates -- no matter what the situation -- is the norm.

— the tylt, AL.com, "Is Giants' Buster Posey a bad teammate for not protecting Hunter Strickland in a brawl?", 30 May 2017
He has been shot at, rocketed and mortared while trying to protect the troops behind him.

— mustafa salim, Washington Post, "Bulldozers have become more crucial — and more vulnerable — in the fight against the Islamic State", 29 May 2017
But the president has drawn a narrow definition of national security, and one aspect of defense would actually receive less money: protecting the nation from deadly pathogens, man-made or natural.

— emily baumgaertner, New York Times, "Trump’s Proposed Budget Cuts Trouble Bioterrorism Experts", 28 May 2017
But White House officials repeatedly defended the Trump’s approach, noting the president’s responsibility to protect American interests.

— michael a. memoli, chicagotribune.com, "Trump maps new course with allies and autocrats in first foreign trip", 27 May 2017
In the aftermath of that incident, Energy Transfer Partners turned to TigerSwan — a company with a deep background in counterterrorism operations — to oversee the work of the other security companies contracted to protect the pipeline.

— alice speri, The Intercept, "Leaked Documents Reveal Counterterrorism Tactics Used at Standing Rock to “Defeat Pipeline Insurgencies”", 27 May 2017
NORD’s spokeswoman, Jennifer Huron, says her organization protects patients’ privacy and isn’t aware of Alexion nurses gathering contact details.

— benjamin elgin, Bloomberg.com, "When the Patient Is a Gold Mine: The Trouble With Rare-Disease Drugs", 24 May 2017
A long, healthy blade helps protect the grass in less-than-ideal environments.

— Popular Mechanics, "Ask a Lawn Care Expert: How To Fix Your Patchy Lawn", 22 May 2017

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.

Origin and Etymology of protect

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

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First Known Use: 15th century

See Words from the same year

Synonym Discussion of 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

PROTECT Defined for English Language Learners

protect

play

verb

Definition of protect for English Language Learners

: to keep (someone or something) from being harmed, lost, etc.
: to save (someone) from financial loss caused by fire, injury, damage, etc.
sports : to try to stop opponents from scoring at (your goal)

PROTECT Defined for Kids

protect

play

verb pro·tect \prə-ˈtekt\

Definition of protect for Students

protected

;

protecting

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

Law Dictionary

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