protection
protection — noun
1. the act of keeping someone or something safe from harm, damage, or danger — for
the act of keeping someone or something safe from harm, damage, or danger — for example, wearing a helmet on a building site, or putting a fence around a garden.
Theo wore a helmet for protection while riding his bicycle through the busy streets.
for + protection (purpose)
The sea wall provides protection against flooding during the winter storms.
provides protection against [threat]
Adina put her valuables in a safe for extra protection when traveling.
The national park was created for the protection of endangered birds and plants.
protection of [something] (conservation)
- provide protection
- seek protection
- under protection
- protection against
- protection from
Grammar Patterns
protection + against + noun
protection + from + noun
for + protection
under + protection
Usage Note
Uncountable — do not say 'a protection' when referring to the general act or state of being kept safe.
Common Mistakes
2. money that people or businesses are forced to pay to criminals so that their pro
money that people or businesses are forced to pay to criminals so that their property will not be damaged or they will not be attacked.
James paid protection to a local gang to avoid trouble at his shop.
pay + protection (informal criminal context)
Refusing to pay protection can lead to smashed windows or stolen goods.
The police arrested Mert for demanding protection from restaurant owners on his street.
The court convicted three gang members who ran a protection racket in the market.
protection racket (fixed criminal term)
- pay protection
- demand protection
- protection racket
- protection money
the full form of the same term, slightly more formal
- extortion money
a broader legal term; covers any money obtained through threats
Grammar Patterns
pay + protection
demand + protection
Usage Note
Always used without an article in this sense. 'Pay protection' is a fixed collocation. This meaning is informal and belongs to the context of organised crime.
Common Mistakes
3. a barrier device that two people use during sex to prevent pregnancy and protect
a barrier device that two people use during sex to prevent pregnancy and protect against infections that are passed from one person to another.
The clinic offers free protection to anyone who asks about safe sex.
protection as uncountable noun in health context
Christopher bought protection at the pharmacy after finding the condom machine empty.
Inês asked the pharmacist which type of protection would work best for her.
Sex education classes teach teenagers the importance of using protection every time.
use + protection (collocation)
- use protection
- without protection
- protection against pregnancy
- contraception
more formal and clinical; covers all methods including pills and implants
- birth control
broad term that includes non-barrier methods such as the pill
Grammar Patterns
use + protection
protection + against + pregnancy/disease
without + protection
Usage Note
In this sense 'protection' is most often uncountable ('use protection'). When countable, it refers to a specific device such as a condom ('He bought a protection from the vending machine').
Common Mistakes
4. special clothing, gear, or equipment worn to prevent injury when doing risky act
special clothing, gear, or equipment worn to prevent injury when doing risky activities, such as working on a building site or playing contact sports.
All workers on the construction site must wear eye protection when cutting metal.
eye protection / wear + protection (safety gear)
Hyun bought new knee protection before his first skateboarding competition.
Vivek's firefighting protection includes a heat-resistant coat and a breathing device.
Iker forgot his ear protection and could not enter the factory floor that day.
ear protection (compound noun for safety gear)
- wear protection
- eye protection
- knee protection
- body protection
- protective gear
a more explicit term; often used in sports and industrial safety contexts
- safety equipment
broader term that includes non-clothing items like safety harnesses
Grammar Patterns
wear + protection
eye protection
knee protection
protection + for + body part
Usage Note
Often combined with a body part or activity to form compound nouns: 'eye protection', 'knee protection', 'fire protection'. The equipment being referred to depends heavily on the context.
Common Mistakes
5. the practice of using taxes on imported goods, or limits on their quantity, to h
the practice of using taxes on imported goods, or limits on their quantity, to help a country's own industries compete against foreign products.
The government introduced protection for local farmers by taxing cheap foreign crops.
protection for [domestic industry]
The government removed protection for electronics, and Anjali's repair shop lost its customers.
Kenji's company relied on protection when tariffs on foreign electronics stayed high.
Farmers voted for the party that promised stronger protection against cheap imports.
protection against [imports] (trade)
- trade protection
- protection for industry
- protection against imports
- protectionism
the ideological or policy term for the same concept
- trade barriers
includes both tariff and non-tariff restrictions; broader in scope
- free trade
the policy of allowing goods to move across borders without taxes or restrictions
Grammar Patterns
protection + for + domestic industry
trade + protection
protection + of + noun
Usage Note
Common in formal economics writing. The related term 'protectionism' is used for the policy or ideology behind this practice. In this sense 'protection' is always uncountable.
Common Mistakes
6. an agreement with an insurance company that provides financial payment if someth
an agreement with an insurance company that provides financial payment if something is lost, damaged, stolen, or causes injury.
Zola bought travel protection before her trip to cover any lost luggage.
travel protection (insurance sense)
The home insurance policy offers protection against fire, flood, and theft.
protection against [risks] in insurance context
Ignacio's health protection plan covers all hospital visits and medical tests.
The car rental company offered extra protection against damage to the vehicle.
extra protection (add-on insurance)
- travel protection
- health protection
- financial protection
- protection against loss
Grammar Patterns
protection + against + risk
protection + for + noun
travel + protection
health + protection
Usage Note
Often appears in compound nouns such as 'travel protection', 'health protection plan', or 'financial protection'. This sense overlaps with ordinary insurance vocabulary and is common in marketing materials.
Common Mistakes
Word family
- protectverbA2
- protectiveadjectiveB1
- protectedadjectiveB2
- protectornounB2
- protectionismnounC1
- protectionistnounC1
- unprotectedadjectiveB2
Synonym discussion
Sense: noun/1
All three words relate to being free from harm, but they differ in scope and focus. 'Safety' is the broadest term, describing a condition where accidents or injuries are unlikely — for example, road safety or food safety. 'Security' usually refers to protection from deliberate threats such as crime, terrorism, or espionage; a security guard prevents theft, while a safety guard prevents machine accidents. 'Defence' (or 'defense') implies active resistance against a specific attack or danger, whether military, legal, or personal. In everyday use: 'Wearing a seatbelt is a safety measure' (prevention), 'The building has 24-hour security' (crime prevention), and 'She spoke in defence of her friend' (active protection).
Common collocations
Etymology
From Latin 'protectio' (covering, shelter), formed from 'pro-' (in front of/for) and 'tegere' (to cover). Entered English through Old French in the 14th century with the core meaning of 'shelter or defence from harm'.