protection
/prəˈtɛkʃ(ə)n
/noun [mass noun]
1The action of protecting, or the state of being protected: the B vitamins give protection against infection his son was put under police protection...
- In one incident, he hacked away at the forelocks of horses - leaving them without protection against eye infections.
- The condom offers protection against infections, as well as serious sexually transmitted diseases such as HIV.
- Yes, private residences don't offer adequate protection against nuclear fallout.
Synonyms
defence, shielding, shelter, preservation, conservation, safe keeping, safeguarding, safety, security, sanctuary, refuge, lee, immunity, insurance, indemnity
safe keeping, care, charge, keeping, protectorship, guidance, aegis, auspices, umbrella, guardianship, support, patronage, championship, providence
1.1A person or thing that protects someone or something: the castle was built as protection against the Saxons [in singular]: a protection against the evil eye...
- With respect to the abduction of the Egyptian ambassador, it was quite odd to see the ambassador leaving his house with no protection.
- A hedgerow acts as a great foods reserve for insects and birds, protection for wildlife, shelter and feed for livestock and it can also act as a fine stock proof barrier.
- Shelter is protection from the elements, something between me and where I am.
Synonyms
barrier, buffer, shield, screen, hedge, cushion, preventive, preventative, armour, safeguard;
refuge, bulwark, bastion, wall
1.2 [count noun] (usually protections) A legal or other formal measure intended to preserve civil liberties and rights: most Western countries provide constitutional protections for the civil and political rights of their citizens...
- Roommates, siblings, and other human arrangements would benefit from such legal protections as a civil union.
- It brings a lot of the workers under legal protections of U.S. labor law, which should benefit them.
- A private school may not offer the legal protections given to public school students.
1.3 [count noun] A document guaranteeing immunity from harm to the person specified in it.The bill has included a protection for vulnerable workers when a business is sold or its work is passed to a new contractor....
- As a corollary, all Charter protections that are relevant in the criminal context must apply.
1.4The practice of paying money to criminals so as to prevent them from attacking oneself or one’s property: [as modifier]: a protection racket protection money...
- True, some of the gangs transferred to other criminal activities, like protection racketeering.
- As a nation of warrior nomads, they had either attacked or demanded protection money from any outsiders entering their kingdom.
- Joe eventually makes it to a level that attracts the big protection rackets, acquires money and eventually is pitted against a big name.
1.5Protection money paid to criminals, especially on a regular basis.People are forced to pay protection money and business owners often pay several groups who impose taxes on them....
- In the 1970s and 1980s, gang culture was endemic with virtually every small business forced to pay protection money or move out.
- At the time, some members of his Four Seas Gang wanted to muscle in on a rival gang's turf and begin extorting protection money from small businesses.
1.6 Climbing The number and quality of running belays or other equipment employed to safeguard a pitch: most European climbers drill bolts into rock rather than using removable protection...
- It also ranks harder than any other route in the world climbed in the traditional way, where the rope is carried up by the climber and clipped into removable protection placed in the rock as they move.
- You heard that correct, no pitons, no chocks, no carabiners, no protection to secure the ropes in the event of a fall.
- Perhaps a rock route using only natural features and removable protection could have been chosen.
Origin
Middle English: from Old French, from late Latin protectio(n-), from protegere 'cover in front' (see protect).