/ prəˈtekʃn; NAmE / noun
1.
[ U ] protection (for / of sb/sth) (against / from sth) the act of protecting sb/sth; the state of being protected :
Wear clothes that provide adequate protection against the wind and rain.
He asked to be put under police protection .
the conservation and protection of the environment
data protection laws
2.
[ C ] protection (against sth) a thing that protects sb/sth against sth :
They wore the charm as a protection against evil spirits.
3.
[ U ] protection (against sth) insurance against fire, injury, damage, etc. :
Our policy offers complete protection against fire and theft.
4.
[ U ] the system of helping an industry in your own country by taxing foreign goods :
The government is ready to introduce protection for the car industry.
5.
[ U ] the system of paying criminals so that they will not attack your business or property :
to pay protection money
to run a protection racket
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WORD ORIGIN
Middle English : from Old French , from late Latin protectio(n-) , from protegere cover in front, from pro- in front + tegere to cover.