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 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
According to the Washington Post, the administration is considering a post-war plan that would turn Gaza into a kind of U.S. protectorate and not a fully autonomous state, at least temporarily.
—Michele Chabin, The Washington Examiner, 5 Sep. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for protectorate
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Mark Ellwood, Robb Report, 20 Sep. 2025
According to the Washington Post, the administration is considering a post-war plan that would turn Gaza into a kind of U.S. protectorate and not a fully autonomous state, at least temporarily.
—Michele Chabin, The Washington Examiner, 5 Sep. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for protectorate
Cite this Entry
“Protectorate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/protectorate. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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