protect

verb pro·tect \ prə-ˈtekt \

Updated on: 17 May 2018

Definition of protect

transitive verb

1 a : to cover or shield from exposure, injury, damage, or destruction : guard

b : defend 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 5

protect a lead

intransitive verb

: to provide a guard or shield

protects against tooth decay

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protectable

play \prə-ˈtek-tə-bəl\ adjective

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protective

play \prə-ˈtek-tiv\ adjective

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protectively

adverb

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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

Another tip helped protect the lives of newborn babies across the country.

— jsonline.com, "News Tips," 15 May 2018
Shutterstock Burberry is out to protect its iconic check print.

— marina liao, Marie Claire, "Burberry Sues Target For Ripping Off Its Iconic Check Print," 10 May 2018
These were designed to protect patients, but are increasingly used to restrict biosimilar makers from gaining access to samples of brand-name biologics needed for biosimilar development.

— christine simmon, STAT, "Games and greed delay the market entry of money-saving biosimilars," 9 May 2018
Temperatures are expected to top out around 87, though there could be some cloud cover to protect fans from the heat.

— jim ayello, USA TODAY Sports, "Ayello: Pay attention to qualifying, first lap of IndyCar Grand Prix," 9 May 2018
Today's engines are designed to protect themselves so even when an owner's manual recommends premium, the car typically runs fine with regular gas.

— The Motley Fool, "Boost your income: 27 things you're probably wasting your money on right now," 4 May 2018
Many companies use them to protect themselves against lawsuits and negative publicity over workplace harassment.

— edvard pettersson, Bloomberg.com, "Stormy Hush Money Not as Common as Trump Claims, Hollywood Says," 3 May 2018
In Howard County, 22,798 acres across 278 properties are designated as agricultural preservation lands and permanently protected from development.

— kate magill, Columbia Flier, "Howard County digs into a new debate over mulching regulations," 2 May 2018
My brother was protecting me from some kid that hit me out of nowhere.

— anne branigin, The Root, "Mother Says Bronx, NY, Teen Stabbed to Death Was Protecting Little Brother From a Bully: Report," 30 Apr. 2018

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

See Words from the same year

protect Synonyms

Phrases

stand up for;

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

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

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