protect
- 01 A2 Elementary
to keep someone or something safe from harm, damage, or danger.
to shield from injury, damage, or loss. Transitive — requires a direct object, often followed by the preposition 'from' or 'against'.
Simple“You should wear a hat to protect your skin from the hot sun.”
In context“The new environmental legislation was designed to protect endangered species from the encroaching urban development in the northern provinces.”
PitfallThe law protects people for crime. The law protects people from crime.Use the preposition 'from' or 'against' after protect, not 'for'.
- 02 C1 Advanced
to book a passenger on a backup flight in case they miss their first one.
to secure a seat for a passenger on an alternative flight as a contingency against a missed connection or cancellation.
Simple“The airline protected us on the 6:00 PM flight after our first plane was delayed.”
In context“The gate agent managed to protect the stranded passengers on the following morning's departure, ensuring they had confirmed seats despite the high season.”
UsageUsually takes a direct object (the passenger) and the preposition 'on' (the flight).
Teacher's tipThis is industry-specific jargon used by airline staff; a general traveler would usually say 'rebooked' or 'put on another flight'.
Synonymsrebookbackup
Usage protect artists · protect people · protect children
Attested in English since 1530, from Latin prōtēctus (“covered, protected”), past participle of prōtegere (“to cover the front, protect”) from prō, prō- (“before, in front of”) + tegere (“to cover”), see tegument. Displaced native Middle English shelden, from Old English sċildan (“to protect,” literally “to shield”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.