/ prəˈtektɪv; NAmE / adjective
1.
[ only before noun ] providing or intended to provide protection :
Workers should wear full protective clothing .
a protective layer of varnish
a protective barrier against the sun's rays
2.
protective (of / towards sb/sth) having or showing a wish to protect sb/sth :
She had been fiercely protective towards him as a teenager.
He was extremely protective of his role as advisor.
He put a protective arm around her shoulders.
Parents can easily become over-protective of their children (= want to protect them too much) .
3.
intended to give an advantage to your own country's industry :
protective tariffs
► pro·tect·ive·ly adverb :
She clutched her bag protectively.
► pro·tect·ive·ness noun [ U ]