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

Ed Williams, the onetime broadcasting teacher who portrayed Ted Olson, the earnest lab scientist with a pocket protector and a kinky side, on the Police Squad! —Mike Barnes, HollywoodReporter, 16 Oct. 2025

Robinson, 27, has always been an energetic rebounder and rim protector. —Robert Marvi, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Oct. 2025

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

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