/ prəˈtekt; NAmE / verb
1.
protect (sb/sth) (against / from sth) to make sure that sb/sth is not harmed, injured, damaged, etc. :
[ vn ]
Troops have been sent to protect aid workers against attack.
They huddled together to protect themselves from the wind.
Each company is fighting to protect its own commercial interests.
[ v ]
a paint that helps protect against rust
2.
[ vn ] [ usually passive ] to introduce laws that make it illegal to kill, harm or damage a particular animal, area of land, building, etc. :
a protected area / species
3.
[ vn ] [ usually passive ] to help an industry in your own country by taxing goods from other countries so that there is less competition :
protected markets
4.
protect (sb/sth) (against sth) to provide sb/sth with insurance against fire, injury, damage, etc. :
[ vn ]
Many policies do not protect you against personal injury.
[also v ]
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WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English : from Latin protect- covered in front, from the verb protegere , from pro- in front + tegere to cover.