protect

verb

pro·​tect prə-ˈtekt How to pronounce protect (audio)
protected; protecting; protects

transitive verb

1
a
: to cover or shield from exposure, injury, damage, or destruction : guard
b
: defend sense 1c
protect the goal
2
: to maintain the status or integrity of especially through financial or legal guarantees: such as
a
: to save from contingent financial loss
b
: to foster or shield from infringement or restriction
salesmen with protected territories
protect one's rights
specifically : to restrict competition for (something, such as a domestic industry) by means of tariffs or trade controls
3
: defend sense 5
protect a lead

intransitive verb

: to provide a guard or shield
protects against tooth decay
protectable adjective
protective adjective
protectively adverb
protectiveness noun
Choose the Right Synonym for protect

defend, protect, shield, guard, safeguard mean to keep secure from danger or against attack.

defend denotes warding off actual or threatened attack.

defend the country

protect implies the use of something (such as a covering) as a bar to the admission or impact of what may attack or injure.

a hard hat to protect your head

shield suggests protective intervention in imminent danger or actual attack.

shielded her eyes from the sun with her hand

guard implies protecting with vigilance and force against expected danger.

White House entrances are well guarded

safeguard implies taking precautionary protective measures against merely possible danger.

our civil liberties must be safeguarded

Examples of protect in a Sentence

He had no raincoat to protect himself from the rain. She keeps her jewelry protected in a safe. You have to protect your business against fraud. New laws have been passed to protect your privacy. The forest is protected by federal law. The high taxes on imported goods are intended to protect domestic producers. Sunscreen helps to protect against sunburn. The insurance protects you against flooding. The insurance does not protect against damage caused by earthquakes.
Recent Examples on the Web The first stage of implementation has been delivered as planned, a government spokesperson said, adding that the changes help keep the UK safe while protecting food supply chains and the agricultural sector from disease outbreaks that would cause significant economic harm. Olivia Fletcher, Fortune Europe, 11 Mar. 2024 What about protecting underage users on these apps? Lauren Goode, WIRED, 11 Mar. 2024 The ban has generated a showdown between tobacco control groups who want to reduce smoking deaths and the tobacco industry seeking to protect its turf. USA TODAY, 10 Mar. 2024 Franklin famously avoided air conditioning while touring, seeking to protect her voice, and Smith’s sweaty reaction was like an initiation rite. Brian McCollum, Detroit Free Press, 10 Mar. 2024 The industry needs further regulation, to be clear, and that regulation should focus on achieving policy objectives, like punishing bad actors, protecting consumers, providing stable markets, and encouraging responsible innovation. Chris Dixon, Fortune, 10 Mar. 2024 Such pushback has prompted Cushman’s group to focus on ensuring the implementation and maintenance of its prior gains, rather than advocating for broader changes like ending qualified immunity, a legal framework that protects law enforcement officers from civil liability for their actions. Tom Jackman, Washington Post, 10 Mar. 2024 Many wore heavy cotton clothes soaked in water to protect themselves against burns. Fernanda Pesce and Alexis Triboulard, Quartz, 9 Mar. 2024 Sunscreen: Apply sunscreen in the morning to help protect your skin from harmful UV rays, prevent premature aging, and lower the risk of skin cancer. Alyssa Hui, Health, 29 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'protect.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin protectus, past participle of protegere, from pro- in front + tegere to cover — more at pro-, thatch

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of protect was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near protect

Cite this Entry

“Protect.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/protect. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

protect

verb
pro·​tect prə-ˈtekt How to pronounce protect (audio)
: to cover or shield from something that would destroy or injure : guard

Legal Definition

protect

transitive verb
pro·​tect
1
: to shield from injury or harm
protecting public health and safety
2
: to secure or preserve against encroachment, infringement, restriction, or violation : maintain the status or integrity of especially through legal or constitutional guarantees
protect a work against copyright infringement
the First Amendment protects speech
3
: to restrict competition for (as domestic industries) by means of tariffs or trade controls
protectable adjective
or protectible

More from Merriam-Webster on protect

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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