protectorate

noun

pro·​tec·​tor·​ate prə-ˈtek-t(ə-)rət 

1

a

: government by a protector

b

capitalized : the government of England (1653–59) under the Cromwells

c

: the rank, office, or period of rule of a protector

2

a

: the relationship of superior authority assumed by one power or state over a dependent one

b

: the dependent political unit or territory in such a relationship

Examples of protectorate in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In the lush Bujang Valley, farmers live in the long shadow of the 1909 Anglo-Siamese Treaty (also known as the Bangkok Treaty), in which Thailand ceded a portion of its southern land to Malaysia, which was then a British protectorate. —Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 27 Oct. 2025

And, Isaac, a lot of people have been speaking about Israel becoming an American protectorate. —Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 25 Oct. 2025

This article has been updated to delete the reference to his remarks about the protectorate. —Chantal Da Silva, NBC news, 22 Oct. 2025

The nation, a former protectorate of the United Kingdom, is more liberal than many of its neighbors: Alcohol is widely sold, for example. —Mark Ellwood, Robb Report, 20 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1662, in the meaning defined at sense 1b

Rhymes for protectorate

• directorate
• electorate
• inspectorate

Kids Definition

protectorate

noun

pro·​tec·​tor·​ate prə-ˈtek-t(ə-)rət 

1

a

: government by a protector

b

: the office or period of rule of a protector

2

: a small country ruled by a larger one