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 of protector

• 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

At the heart of the celebration is Kyoto’s Yasaka Shrine, a Shinto site whose principal deity has long been revered as a protector against calamities. — ABC News, 19 July 2026

The one god who periodically turns up, Zendaya’s Athena – supposedly Ulysses’ divine protector against the wrath of Zeus and Poseidon and all the rest – has surprisingly little to do in this version. — Peter Rainer, Christian Science Monitor, 16 July 2026

This included one of their players poking a finger into the ear of the Belgian penalty-spot protector Diego Moreira, and responding to the reactionary elbow to the tummy by going down, and staying down, on top of the penalty mark. — Geir Jordet, New York Times, 15 July 2026

Cenac, who isn’t expected to be an immediate contributor for Boston this season, said becoming a stronger rim protector has been one of his summer priorities. — Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 13 July 2026

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