protection

[ pruh-tek-shuhn ]

noun

1. the act of protecting or the state of being protected; preservation from injury or harm.

   Synonyms: safety, refuge, security

2. a thing, person, or group that protects:

   This vaccine is a protection against disease.

   Synonyms: bulwark, shield, defense, guard

3. patronage.

   Synonyms: sponsorship, aegis

4. Insurance. coverage ( def 1 ).
5. Informal.
   1. money paid to racketeers for a guarantee against threatened violence.
   2. bribe money paid to the police, politicians, or other authorities for overlooking criminal activity.
6. Economics. protectionism.
7. a document that assures safety from harm, delay, or the like, for the person, persons, or property specified in it.

   Synonyms: permit, pass

8. Archaic. a document given by the U.S. customs authorities to a sailor traveling abroad certifying that the holder is a citizen of the U.S.

protection

/ prəˈtɛkʃən /

noun

1. the act of protecting or the condition of being protected
2. something that protects
3. 1. the imposition of duties or quotas on imports, designed for the protection of domestic industries against overseas competition, expansion of domestic employment, etc
   2. Also calledprotectionism the system, policy, or theory of such restrictions Compare free trade
4. a document that grants protection or immunity from arrest or harassment to a person, esp a traveller
5. mountaineering security on a climb provided by running belays, etc
6. informal.
   1. Also calledprotection money money demanded by gangsters for freedom from molestation
   2. freedom from molestation purchased in this way

Derived Forms

• proˈtectionist, nounadjective
• proˈtectionˌism, noun

Other Words From

• pro·tection·al adjective
• nonpro·tection noun
• over·pro·tection noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of protection¹

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English proteccio(u)n, from Late Latin prōtēctiōn-, stem of prōtēctiō “shelter,” literally, “a covering in front”; equivalent to protect + -ion

Synonym Study

See cover.

Example Sentences

He has previously served with the Parliamentary and Diplomatic Protection Command within the Metropolitan Police.

From BBC

The Irish Data Protection Commissioner has also previously fined Meta more than €1bn over mishandling people's data when transferring it between Europe and the United States.

From BBC

"Smyth was protected in England and he was protected in Zimbabwe. The protection went on for so long it robbed victims the chance to confront Smyth as adults."

From BBC

“The policy challenge is how to appropriately balance critically important goals around housing production with equally important preservation and tenant protection goals,” the department wrote in a recent report.

From Los Angeles Times

Gonzalez said the DWP will soon open a small demonstration facility at the department’s complex near Griffith Park to develop treatment technologies and monitoring methods that ensure protection of public health.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• conservation
• insurance
• preservation
• safeguard
• safety
• security
• shelter
• stability