giving or capable of giving protection of, relating to, or intended for protection of domestic industries
something that protects a condom
WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025
pro•tec•tive /prəˈtɛktɪv/USA pronunciation
adj.
pro•tec•tive•ness, n. [uncountable]
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025- having the quality or function of protecting:[before a noun]wore a protective helmet.
- tending strongly to protect:She had very protective parents.[be + ~ + of]A mother robin is very protective of her young.
pro•tec•tive•ness, n. [uncountable]
pro•tec•tive
(prə tek′tiv),USA pronunciation adj.
pro•tec′tive•ly, adv.
pro•tec′tive•ness, n.
- having the quality or function of protecting:a protective covering.
- tending to protect.
- Economics, Businessof, pertaining to, or designed to favor protectionism:protective tariffs.
- Stock Exchangedefensive (def. 4).
- protect + -ive 1655–65
pro•tec′tive•ness, n.
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
'protective' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):
B.P.O.E.
- Batesian mimicry
- Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks
- CYA
- ablation
- albumen
- anaclisis
- anodize
- apa
- apron
- armadillo
- armature
- armor
- armored cable
- armorize
- armour
- armoured
- assault jacket
- avicularium
- bark
- bedpad
- beetle
- bib
- bite
- bonnet
- boot
- bosom
- box
- brace
- bubble wrap
- bull bars
- bumper
- butt plate
- button
- caddisworm
- callus
- canopy
- cap
- care
- careful
- casing
- chakra
- chaperon
- chelonian
- chest protector
- cholesterol
- clad
- cladding
- clucky
- coaster