protocol

[ proh-tuh-kawl, -kol, -kohl ]

noun

1. the customs and regulations dealing with diplomatic formality, precedence, and etiquette.
2. an original draft, minute, or record from which a document, especially a treaty, is prepared.
3. a supplementary international agreement.
4. an agreement between states.
5. an annex to a treaty giving data relating to it.
6. Medicine/Medical. the plan for carrying out a scientific study or a patient's treatment regimen.
7. Computers. a set of rules governing the format of messages that are exchanged between computers.
8. Also called protocol statement, Philosophy. a statement reporting an observation or experience in the most fundamental terms without interpretation: sometimes taken as the basis of empirical verification, as of scientific laws.

verb (used without object)

1. to draft or issue a protocol.

protocol

/ ˈprəʊtəˌkɒl /

noun

1. the formal etiquette and code of behaviour, precedence, and procedure for state and diplomatic ceremonies
2. a memorandum or record of an agreement, esp one reached in international negotiations, a meeting, etc
3. chiefly US
   1. a record of data or observations on a particular experiment or proceeding
   2. an annexe appended to a treaty to deal with subsidiary matters or to render the treaty more lucid
   3. a formal international agreement or understanding on some matter
4. an amendment to a treaty or convention
5. philosophy a statement that is immediately verifiable by experience In fullprotocol statement See logical positivism
6. computing the set form in which data must be presented for handling by a particular computer configuration, esp in the transmission of information between different computer systems

protocol

/ prō′tə-kôl′,-kōl′ /

1. The plan for a course of medical treatment or for a scientific experiment.
2. A set of standardized procedures for transmitting or storing data, especially those used in regulating data transmission between computers or peripherals.

Other Words From

• pro·to·col·ar [proh-t, uh, -, kol, -er], proto·cola·ry proto·colic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of protocol¹

First recorded in 1535–45; earlier protocoll, from Medieval Latin prōtocollum, from Late Greek prōtókollon originally, “a leaf or tag attached to a rolled papyrus manuscript and containing notes as to contents.” See proto-, colloid

Word History and Origins

Origin of protocol¹

C16: from Medieval Latin prōtocollum, from Late Greek prōtokollon sheet glued to the front of a manuscript, from proto- + kolla glue

Example Sentences

The shelters lacked written protocols, and the staff reported that the euthanasia policy “changed five times in the last year” without communication about the changes.

From Los Angeles Times

Level 4 automated vehicles, which this research was based on, are capable of automatically starting fail-safe and fail-operational protocols.

From Science Daily

“Consistent with regular protocols, the OIG is responsible for monitoring all Department investigations such that they are fair, complete, and impartial,” the office said in an emailed statement.

From Los Angeles Times

"I think this would be a breach of protocol that could be dangerous for us going forward in the future."

From BBC

“A teacher making comments ‘out of school’ is not following protocol.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• agreement
• code
• contract
• covenant
• custom
• obligation
• pact