1. (

• protection

) the activity of protecting someone or something; "the witnesses demanded police protection" ;

2. (

• protective_covering ,
• protective_cover ,
• protection

) a covering that is intend to protect from damage or injury; "they had no protection from the fallout"; "wax provided protection for the floors" ;

3. (

• security ,
• protection

) defense against financial failure; financial independence; "his pension gave him security in his old age"; "insurance provided protection against loss of wages due to illness" ;

4. (

• protection ,
• shelter

) the condition of being protected; "they were huddled together for protection"; "he enjoyed a sense of peace and protection in his new home" ;

5. (

• auspices ,
• protection ,
• aegis

) kindly endorsement and guidance; "the tournament was held under the auspices of the city council" ;

6. (

• protection ,
• trade_protection

) the imposition of duties or quotas on imports in order to protect domestic industry against foreign competition; "he made trade protection a plank in the party platform" ;

7. (

• protection ,
• tribute ,

) payment extorted by gangsters on threat of violence; "every store in the neighborhood had to pay him protection" ;