protector

noun

pro·​tec·​tor prə-ˈtek-tər 

1

a

: one that protects : guardian

b

: a device used to prevent injury : guard

2

a

: one having the care of a kingdom during the king's minority : regent

b

: the executive head of the Commonwealth of England, Scotland, and Ireland from 1653 to 1659

called also Lord Protector of the Commonwealth

protectorship

prə-ˈtek-tər-ˌship 

noun

Synonyms

• guardian
• defender
• custodian
• protection
• bodyguard

Examples of protector in a Sentence

She sees her older brother as her protector.

a protector of free speech

Recent Examples on the Web

That’s because estrogen is a multi-system protector. —Emily Cegielski, Flow Space, 10 Oct. 2025

Ray Dalio urged investors to allocate around 15% of their portfolios to gold, calling it a strong hedge against credit-dependent assets and a key protector of real returns. —Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 8 Oct. 2025

While telling Zoe an old anecdote about Marie splitting her Halloween candy — Annabeth was too shy to trick-or-treat — Annabeth seems to remember the kind protector Marie once was. —Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 8 Oct. 2025

Gone is the insurance of daunting rim protectors like Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen. —Joel Lorenzi, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing protector

• surge protector

Rhymes for protector

• bisector
• collector
• connector
• corrector
• defector
• deflector
• detector
• director
• dissector
• effector
• ejector
• elector

Kids Definition

protector

noun

pro·​tec·​tor prə-ˈtek-tər 

1

: a person or thing that protects or is intended to protect

2

: a person who takes charge of a kingdom while the king or queen is too young to rule : regent