protocol

noun

Definition of protocolnext
1
as in etiquette
an accepted way of conducting oneself in a given situation Their behavior was considered a breach of diplomatic protocol.

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2
as in procedure
a preestablished method of carrying out a task and especially a scientific or medical task The school developed a protocol for the treatment of concussions on the sports field.

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Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of protocol The three officers who opened fire have been placed on administrative leave, per protocol, and the shooting is under investigation, police said. — Lauren Mascarenhas, CNN Money, 30 July 2026 Thursday's task force reviewed the police department's current training and protocols for mental health and crisis calls. — Dennis Valera, CBS News, 30 July 2026 The hope is that the changes, detailed in the protocol’s documentation, will make widespread deployment in an enterprise context much easier. — Samuel Axon, ArsTechnica, 30 July 2026 This aligns with national trauma protocols from the American College of Surgeons' Stop the Bleed initiative, which emphasizes that effective tourniquet placement requires firm, tight compression to fully stop arterial blood flow. — Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 29 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for protocol
Recent Examples of Synonyms for protocol
  1. etiquette
  2. procedure
  3. rules
  4. technique
  5. system
  6. program
  7. policy
  8. strategy
Noun
  • The etiquette of posting on social media can be tricky to navigate—especially for new parents.
    — Parents, Parents, 25 July 2026
  • Asked whether his first dates — sorry, podcast editions — should ideally end with a kiss of sorts gets Glassman to his stand-up act, where talk of dating etiquette and rules fill his comedic quiver.
    — Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 24 July 2026
Definition of etiquette
Noun
  • It can also be dramatized – turning a common medical procedure into something good, bad, or anything in between, depending on who is telling the story and how.
    — Brittany Luse, NPR, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Tight end Caleb Lohner still has not practiced with the Broncos since camp began after undergoing an offseason knee procedure.
    — Nick Kosmider, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of procedure
Noun
  • Republicans in two red states couldn’t convince voters to change election rules to make their party stronger.
    — David Weigel, semafor.com, 5 Aug. 2026
  • However, borrowers who took out federal loans on or after July 1, 2026, face different repayment rules under the new federal student loan framework.
    — Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of rules
Noun
  • With all of our efficiency tools and techniques, one of the most underutilized yet consistent sources of return on investment is recovery.
    — Mena Mirhom, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Qiu was known for research working with a cutting-edge technique known as base editing to make custom treatments for children with rare diseases.
    — Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 31 July 2026
Definition of technique
Noun
  • Final details on dates and the points system are still being ironed out.
    — Danny Brewer, Forbes.com, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of system
Noun
  • The Sacramento Police Department is plans to purchase 52 new drones next year, eight of which will be part of a pilot program experimenting with using the technology to respond to 911 calls.
    — Jennah Pendleton, Sacbee.com, 1 Aug. 2026
  • And that is precisely where most management development programs have historically underinvested.
    — Cindy Rodriguez Constable, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of program
Noun
  • Potential monetary policy task force recommendations may involve less transparent communication, a smaller balance sheet with stability risks, and inflation metrics that produce a lower reading.
    — David Zhang, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2026
  • Traders profit when prices jump up and down, and with his taste for cliffhangers, threats and policy reversals, Trump provides plenty of potentially market-moving content.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of policy
Noun
  • Both of those strategies are very reasonable and appropriate and even data-driven.
    — Annalisa Merelli, STAT, 5 Aug. 2026
  • At the same time, the term won't be so long as to prevent a savings strategy shift as soon as next summer.
    — Matt Richardson, CBS News, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of strategy

Browse Nearby Words

protests
protocol
protocols
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Cite this Entry

“Protocol.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/protocol. Accessed 6 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on protocol

Nglish: Translation of protocol for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about protocol

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