# protect

/pɹəˈtɛkt/ (US) · /pɹətˈɛkt/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/protect
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. to keep safe

verb · CEFR A2

to keep someone or something safe from harm, damage, or danger.

For teachers: to shield from injury, damage, or loss. Transitive — requires a direct object, often followed by the preposition 'from' or 'against'.

- You should wear a hat to protect your skin from the hot sun.
- The new environmental legislation was designed to protect endangered species from the encroaching urban development in the northern provinces.

### 2. aviation/travel

verb · CEFR C1 · Technical

to book a passenger on a backup flight in case they miss their first one.

For teachers: to secure a seat for a passenger on an alternative flight as a contingency against a missed connection or cancellation.

- The airline protected us on the 6:00 PM flight after our first plane was delayed.
- The gate agent managed to protect the stranded passengers on the following morning's departure, ensuring they had confirmed seats despite the high season.

Usage: Usually takes a direct object (the passenger) and the preposition 'on' (the flight).

Teaching tip: This is industry-specific jargon used by airline staff; a general traveler would usually say 'rebooked' or 'put on another flight'.

## Examples

- You should wear a helmet to protect your head.
- Aviation safety rules protect passengers by requiring strict maintenance checks on every aircraft before takeoff.
- The new international treaty aims to protect endangered habitats by strictly limiting industrial development in sensitive coastal regions.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.