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

• custodian
• defender
• guard
• guardian
• guardian angel
• protection

Examples of protector in a Sentence

She sees her older brother as her protector.

a protector of free speech

Recent Examples on the Web

While the Bucks veteran center is a talented rim protector, Turner has the skill set to limit his impact by being a pick-and-pop threat and pulling Lopez away from the rim. —Tony East, Forbes.com, 18 Apr. 2025

Doing away with positions on the NBA’s All-Defensive Teams, a change the league implemented last season, clogs ballots with rim protectors. —Fred Katz, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2025

What could Paul, at 6-7, get away with at Houston as a pass protector that’s harder to get away with now? —Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 7 Apr. 2025

Keep it safe with these cases and screen protectors. —Brenda Stolyar, Wired News, 6 Apr. 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