protect

[prəˈtɛkt]

protect Definition

• 1. to keep someone or something safe from harm, injury, damage, or loss
• 2. to prevent something from being damaged or destroyed

Using protect: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "protect" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

• Example

  It is important to protect your skin from the sun's harmful rays.

• Example

  The police officer was there to protect the citizens from harm.

• Example

  We need to protect our environment for future generations.

protect Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms for protect

• defend
• guard
• shield
• safeguard
• preserve

Antonyms for protect

• endanger
• expose
• jeopardize

Phrases with protect

• protect against

  to take measures to prevent something from happening or causing harm

  Example

  Wearing a helmet can protect against head injuries.

• protect one's interests

  to take action to ensure that one's own interests are not harmed or threatened

  Example

  He hired a lawyer to protect his interests in the business deal.

• protective custody

  a legal status where a person is held in custody to protect them from harm or danger

  Example

  The witness was placed in protective custody until the trial was over.

Origins of protect

from Latin 'protegere', meaning 'cover in front'

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Summary: protect in Brief

To 'protect' [prəˈtɛkt] means to keep someone or something safe from harm, injury, damage, or loss. It can refer to physical safety, as in 'The police officer was there to protect the citizens from harm,' or environmental safety, as in 'We need to protect our environment for future generations.' 'Protect' can also be used in phrases like 'protect against,' which means to take measures to prevent something from happening, and 'protect one's interests,' which means to take action to ensure that one's own interests are not harmed or threatened.