protect
protect — verb
1. to take steps or put measures in place that stop people, animals, things, or pla
to take steps or put measures in place that stop people, animals, things, or places from being hurt, damaged, lost, or changed in an unwanted way
Dario wears a helmet when riding his bike to protect his head.
protect + body part from injury
The vaccine helps protect children against serious diseases.
protect + people against disease
Shanti installed a fence around her garden to protect the vegetables from rabbits.
New laws were passed to protect the rights of hourly workers.
protect + abstract noun (rights, interests)
A thick coat of paint protects the wooden fence from rain and sun.
- protect from
- protect against
- protect the environment
- protect your family
- protect someone's rights
Grammar Patterns
protect + noun phrase + from/against + noun phrase
Usage Note
Subject is often a person, a piece of equipment, a law, or a substance. Object can be a person, animal, thing, place, or abstract concept such as rights or privacy.
Common Mistakes
2. to help a country's own industries stay competitive by charging taxes on similar
to help a country's own industries stay competitive by charging taxes on similar goods brought in from other countries
The government raised taxes on foreign steel to protect local steel mills.
government + protect + domestic industry by taxing imports
Farmers in several countries demanded tariffs to protect the rice industry.
Some nations protect their car makers by limiting the number of vehicles that can enter the country.
The new trade agreement made it harder for the government to protect domestic clothing factories.
passive: be protected + by trade measures
- protect domestic industry
- protect local jobs
- protect farmers
- protect by tariffs
- deregulate
to remove government controls and let foreign competition in
- expose
to open a domestic market to foreign competition
Grammar Patterns
government + protect + noun phrase (industry/product) + by + -ing clause
Usage Note
Subject is always a government or trade authority. Object is a domestic industry, sector, or group of producers. Frequently appears in news and policy discussions about tariffs and trade wars.
Common Mistakes
3. to provide financial compensation or coverage through an insurance policy if som
to provide financial compensation or coverage through an insurance policy if something bad happens, such as an accident, illness, theft, or natural disaster
This policy protects homeowners against damage from storms and floods.
protect + policyholder + against + specific risks
Mateo bought travel insurance to protect himself if his flight was cancelled.
The plan protects your family by paying a monthly amount if you cannot work due to illness.
Rin checked that her insurance policy protected her belongings against theft.
passive: be protected against [risk]
- protect against loss
- protect your property
- protect your investment
- protected against theft
- protected by insurance
Grammar Patterns
protect + noun phrase + against + noun phrase (risk/loss)
be protected + against + noun phrase
Usage Note
Common in financial and insurance contexts. The subject is typically an insurance policy, plan, or company. The object is the person or thing covered. Use 'against' for the risk being insured.
Common collocations
Nouns
Adverbs
- fully
- adequately
- legally
- constitutionally
Phrases
- protect from harm
- protect against loss
- protect the interests of