protected state

noun

: an internationally recognized state under the protection of another usually larger and more powerful state

specifically : a state having a relatively stable and traditional government that has entered into treaty relations with the British Crown to avail itself of British protection and that while giving the British government certain rights and responsibilities usually retains supervision of its domestic affairs while placing its foreign relations under British control

the two British Settlements and the nine protected states which together form the Federation of Malaya

—M. E. Cooper

compare protectorate

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

• More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
• Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
• Advanced search features
• Ad free!