✨📕 The NEWThe NEW Collegiate Dictionary, 12th Edition Over 5,000 words added — Buy Now! Collegiate DictionaryBuy Now!

protectoral

adjective

pro·​tec·​tor·​al prə-ˈtek-t(ə-)rəl How to pronounce protectoral (audio)
: of or relating to a protector or protectorate

Word History

First Known Use

1657, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of protectoral was in 1657

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Protectoral.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/protectoral. Accessed 29 Nov. 2025.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!