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

The film, a veritable love letter to the city, was inspired by Touzani’s beloved maternal grandmother, a Spaniard who arrived in Morocco during the Spanish protectorate and lived in Tangier all her life. —Alissa Simon, Variety, 29 Aug. 2025

The Crimean Khanate became a protectorate of the Ottoman Empire, where the two groups frequently engaged in trade. —Mark Temnycky, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2025

The Kremlin has consolidated its de facto protectorate in Belarus and fostered close ties with politicians in Georgia’s ruling party, Georgian Dream, and the Moldovan opposition. —Jeffrey Mankoff, Foreign Affairs, 24 July 2025

France had claimed the island as a protectorate, in 1842; by the time Gauguin arrived, the bamboo buildings in the capital, Papeete, had been replaced by travesties of brick and iron. —Alexandra Schwartz, New Yorker, 11 July 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