self-protection

noun

self-pro·​tec·​tion ˌself-prə-ˈtek-shən How to pronounce self-protection (audio)
plural self-protections
: the act of protecting oneself, one's property, or one's group : self-defense
kept a bat under the bed for self-protection
… found that conflict-affected communities often develop sophisticated self-protection strategies …Lisa Fuller
GEMINI … A painful past makes you guard your feelings, but such self-protection can lead to isolation and missed opportunities.Harper's Bazaar
sometimes used before another noun
self-protection techniques
a self-protection seminar

Examples of self-protection in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
With thoughtful leadership, organizations can shift Gen Z from self-protection to meaningful contribution. Ruth Oh Reitmeier, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025 The troops are authorized to use their weapons for self-protection. Jeremy Mikula, NBC news, 24 Aug. 2025 Target an initial force of 5,000 experts, with self-protection capability working at all levels (with higher priority than that of tactical, front-line) with the Ukrainian military. James Stavridis, Twin Cities, 19 Aug. 2025 If Tehran now hurries to make atomic bombs in secret — and if other countries in the region then build their own nukes for self-protection — the tactical triumph of Midnight Hammer will turn into a strategic disaster. Andreas Kluth, Mercury News, 28 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for self-protection

Word History

First Known Use

1635, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of self-protection was in 1635

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Cite this Entry

“Self-protection.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/self-protection. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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