protectionism

[ pruh-tek-shuh-niz-uhm ]

noun
  1. Economics. the theory, practice, or system of fostering or developing domestic industries by protecting them from foreign competition through duties or quotas imposed on importations.

  2. any program, policy, or system of laws that seeks to provide protection for property owners, wildlife, the environment, etc.

Origin of protectionism

1
First recorded in 1855–60; protection + -ism

Other words from protectionism

  • pro·tec·tion·ist, noun, adjective
  • pro·tec·tion·is·tic, adjective
  • an·ti·pro·tec·tion·ist, noun, adjective

Words Nearby protectionism

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use protectionism in a sentence