protection

noun

pro·​tec·​tion prə-ˈtek-shən How to pronounce protection (audio)
1
: the act of protecting : the state of being protected
2
a
: one that protects
b
: supervision or support of one that is smaller and weaker
c
: a contraceptive device (such as a condom)
3
: the freeing of the producers of a country from foreign competition in their home market by restrictions (such as high duties) on foreign competitive goods
4
a
: immunity from prosecution purchased by criminals through bribery
b
: money extorted by racketeers posing as a protective association
5
6
: anchoring equipment placed in cracks for safety while rock climbing

Examples of protection in a Sentence

He fights for the protection of the environment. Hard hats provide protection for the workers' heads. The witness was placed under police protection.
Recent Examples on the Web Again, all of this happens on-device for privacy protection. Davey Winder, Forbes, 23 Oct. 2024 Again, this is for protection in case of divorce, or even escaping financial abuse. Alicia Adamczyk, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2024 Witness 36 was developed by Yosi, the Regretful Spy creator Daniel Burman and follows a woman who creates identities for an international witness protection program. Max Goldbart, Deadline, 23 Oct. 2024 In it, a young woman who creates new identities at an extraterritorial witness protection program meets a guy at a bar one night whose personal story is exactly the same as one of the identities she’s thought up. John Hopewell, Variety, 23 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for protection 

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

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of protection was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near protection

Cite this Entry

“Protection.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/protection. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

protection

noun
pro·​tec·​tion prə-ˈtek-shən How to pronounce protection (audio)
1
a
: the act of protecting
under our protection
b
: the state of being protected
the open boat offered no protection from the weather
2
: a person or thing that protects

Legal Definition

protection

noun
pro·​tec·​tion
1
: the act of protecting : the state of being protected
entitled to constitutional protection
2
a
: one that protects
b
: supervision or support of one having less power
protection of endangered species
3
: the freeing of the producers of goods of a country from foreign competition in their home market by restrictions (as high duties) on foreign competitive goods
4
a
: immunity from prosecution purchased by criminals through bribery
b
: money extorted by racketeers posing as a protective association
5
: coverage for loss provided by insurance

More from Merriam-Webster on protection

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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