A1 noun Neutral #3,371 most common

protect

/prəˈtekt/

To keep someone or something safe from harm, injury, or danger. In a family context, it often refers to the way parents or older relatives look after children to ensure they are not hurt.

Examples

3 of 5
1

Parents do everything they can to protect their children.

Mothers and fathers work hard to keep their kids safe.

2

The government has a duty to protect the rights of every family unit.

The state must ensure that families are treated fairly and kept safe.

3

Don't worry, I'm your big brother and I'll protect you.

Do not be afraid because I am your brother and I will keep you safe.

Word Family

Noun
protection
Verb
protect
Adverb
protectively
Adjective
protective
Related
protector
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Memory Tip

Think of a 'Protector' as a 'Projector' of a shield around your family.

Quick Quiz

A mother bird will always ___ her babies from other animals.

Correct!

The correct answer is: a

Examples

1

Parents do everything they can to protect their children.

everyday

Mothers and fathers work hard to keep their kids safe.

2

The government has a duty to protect the rights of every family unit.

formal

The state must ensure that families are treated fairly and kept safe.

3

Don't worry, I'm your big brother and I'll protect you.

informal

Do not be afraid because I am your brother and I will keep you safe.

4

Sociological studies examine how kinship networks protect individuals during economic hardship.

academic

Research looks at how family connections keep people safe during money problems.

5

Our insurance policies are designed to protect your family's financial future.

business

Our service helps keep your family's money safe for the years to come.

Word Family

Noun
protection
Verb
protect
Adverb
protectively
Adjective
protective
Related
protector

Common Collocations

protect children to keep kids safe
protect your family to look after your relatives
protect from harm to keep safe from being hurt
protect against danger to stop something bad from reaching you
protect the home to keep the house and family safe

Common Phrases

protect at all costs

to keep something safe no matter what happens

protect the family name

to keep the family's reputation good

serve and protect

to help and keep people safe

Often Confused With

protect vs prevent

Protect means to keep something safe from a threat, while prevent means to stop an event from happening at all.

📝

Usage Notes

Use the preposition 'from' or 'against' after protect to identify the source of danger. It is most commonly used as a verb to describe the action of guarding something valuable.

⚠️

Common Mistakes

Learners often use the preposition 'to' or 'of' incorrectly; for example, saying 'protect of my family' instead of 'protect my family'.

💡

Memory Tip

Think of a 'Protector' as a 'Projector' of a shield around your family.

📖

Word Origin

Derived from the Latin word 'protegere', which means 'to cover in front' (pro- 'in front' + tegere 'to cover').

Grammar Patterns

Regular verb: protect, protected, protected. Usually followed by a direct object. Often used in the pattern: protect [someone] from [something].
🌍

Cultural Context

In many cultures, the concept of protecting the family extends beyond physical safety to protecting the family's honor and privacy.

Quick Quiz

A mother bird will always ___ her babies from other animals.

Correct!

The correct answer is: a

More Family words

mom

A1

A mom is a female parent who cares for and raises her children. It is a warm and informal name used to call or talk about one's mother.

daughter

A1

A daughter is a female child or person in relation to her parents. It refers to the biological or legal relationship of a girl or woman to her mother and father.

sibling

A1

A sibling is a brother or a sister. It is a general word used to describe people who have the same parents, regardless of their gender.

teenager

A1

A teenager is a young person between the ages of 13 and 19. This term is used to describe the period of life when a person is no longer a child but not yet a full adult.

husband

A1

A husband is a married man in relation to his spouse. It is a term used to describe a male partner in a marriage or a legally recognized union.

grandmother

A1

A grandmother is the mother of a person's father or mother. She is a female ancestor who is two generations older than the person.

grandparent

A1

A grandparent is the parent of one's father or mother. It is a general term that refers to either a grandfather or a grandmother within a family structure.

grandson

A1

A grandson is the son of one's son or daughter. It is a term used to describe a male child in relation to his grandparents.

granddaughter

A1

A granddaughter is the daughter of a person's son or daughter. It describes the relationship between a female child and her grandparents.

grandchild

A1

A grandchild is the child of one's son or daughter. It represents the second generation of descendants after one's own children.

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