# protection

/pɹəˈtɛkʃən/ (US) · /pɹətˈɛkʃən/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/protection
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. safety from harm

noun · CEFR B1

the act of keeping someone or something safe, or the state of being safe from danger.

For teachers: the act of protecting or the state of being protected from injury, damage, or loss.

- The new law provides better protection for workers against unfair dismissal.
- The environmental agency argued that the current legislation offers insufficient protection for the fragile coastal ecosystem against industrial runoff.

### 2. a physical barrier

noun · CEFR B1

something that you use to stay safe, like clothing or a screen.

For teachers: a physical object or substance that serves as a barrier against harm or environmental factors.

- You should wear sunscreen as protection against the strong afternoon sun.
- The workers were required to wear heavy-duty goggles and gloves as protection against chemical splashes during the experiment.

### 3. trade restrictions

noun · CEFR B2 · Technical

rules that help a country's own businesses by making it harder for foreign companies to compete.

For teachers: the theory or practice of shielding a country's domestic industries from foreign competition through taxes or quotas.

- The government introduced new trade protection to help local farmers.
- Economists debated whether increased protection for the domestic steel industry would ultimately hinder long-term global competitiveness.

### 4. data security

noun · CEFR B2 · Technical

settings that prevent people from changing or seeing files on a computer.

For teachers: the mechanisms or settings used to restrict access to or modification of digital resources.

- You need to remove the write protection from the file before you can edit it.
- The administrator implemented multi-layer protection to ensure that sensitive customer data remained encrypted and inaccessible to unauthorized users.

### 5. contraception

noun · CEFR B2

something used during sex to prevent pregnancy or disease.

For teachers: a method or device, such as a condom, used to prevent pregnancy or the transmission of disease during sexual intercourse.

- It is important for young adults to use protection to stay healthy.
- Health clinics provide free resources and education regarding the various forms of protection available to the public.

### 6. illegal immunity

noun · CEFR C1 · Informal

money paid to criminals so they do not hurt you or your business.

For teachers: immunity from harm or interference obtained through illegal payments to criminals or corrupt officials.

- The shop owner was forced to pay the gang for protection every month.
- The investigation revealed a widespread racketeering scheme where local businesses were extorted for protection money under threat of violence.

## Examples

- Sunscreen provides protection against harmful UV rays.
- The new law offers better protection for workers who lose their jobs unexpectedly.
- Environmental groups are demanding stronger legal protection for the wetlands to prevent further industrial encroachment and preserve the local biodiversity.

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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.