protect

/prəˈtekt/ verb

Definition

› [I or T] to keep someone or something safe from injury, damage, or loss: protect sb/sth from sth They produce a self-adhesive plastic cover designed to protect CDs from scratches.protect sb/sth against sth The company has been ordered to take corrective action to protect consumers against high-pressure sales tactics.protect against sth The investment does not insure profits or protect against losses in a declining market.protect sb's interests/investments/rights The agreement obliges WTO Members to protect the rights, including copyrights and trademarks, of citizens of all other Members. This material is protected by copyright.

› [T] ECONOMICS if a government protects part of its country's trade or industry, it helps it by taxing goods from other countries or limiting the amount of goods that can be imported: Import barriers protected the fledgling enterprises. a protected industry/market

› [I or T] INSURANCE to provide someone with insurance against injury, damage, or loss: Workers should take out insurance, whether to cover themselves against a particular illness or to protect their income.protect against sth Life annuities protect against the risk of people outliving their savings.

(Definition of protect verb from the Cambridge Business English Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)