To save this word, you'll need to log in.
pro·tec·to·ry | \ prə-ˈtek-t(ə-)rē 
\
\ plural protectories
Definition of protectory
: an institution for the protection and care of usually homeless or delinquent children
Keep scrolling for more
Comments on protectory
What made you want to look up protectory? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Test Your Vocabulary
July 2020 Words of the Day Quiz
- Which is a synonym of mien?
Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?
TAKE THE QUIZ
Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.
TAKE THE QUIZLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridgedWords at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games
- July 2020 Words of the Day Quiz Take the quiz
- Difficult Spelling Words Quiz
Can you spell these 15 tricky spelling words?
Take the quiz - Spell It
Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?
Take the quiz - Dictionary Devil
The dictionary has been scrambled—can you put it back together?
Play the game
Share protectory
Time Traveler for protectory
The first known use of protectory was in 1865
See more words from the same year