protect

Từ điển Oxford Learners Wordfinder Dictionary

1 protecting sb/sth
2 preventing accidents
3 protecting health
see also DANGEROUS, CAREFUL

1 protecting sb/sth
- free from danger or from possible injury, damage, etc: safe (from sb/sth); noun (U): safety
Don't go out alone at night. It isn't safe. ◎ Will my bag be safe if I leave it here? ◎ People are worried about their children's safety.
- to do sth so that a person or thing is safe: keep* sb/sth safe, protect sb/sth (against/from sb/sth), guard sb/sth (against sb/sth)
protecting the environment from atmospheric pollution ◎ legislation to protect people at work ◎ to guard a country against invasion
- the action of keeping sb/sth safe: protection (noun U)
protection of the environment ◎ protection against disease
- helping to make sb/sth safe: protective
protective clothing
- to protect or help sb who is weak or ill: look after sb, take* care of sb
I can't go out - there's no one else to look after the children. ◎ You will take care of the house while I'm away, won't you?
- if you feel strongly that you want to protect sb/sth from sb/sth, you are protective (towards sb/sth)
His mother is very protective towards him.
- things that people do to protect sb/sth from criminals, war, etc: safety measures (noun plural), (safety) precautions (noun plural), security (noun U)
New safety measures have been introduced on trains. ◎ Security was tightened for the Queen's visit.
- in order to be kept safely: for safe keeping
During the match Jim gave his watch to Derek for safe keeping.
- to act, especially to fight or to speak, in order to protect sb/sth: defend sb/sth (against sb/sth)
He defended himself with a stick. ◎ She wants to defend herself against these accusations.
- the activity of defending sb/sth: defence (AmE defense)(noun U)
We have no defence against increasing violence in society.
- activity which helps to defend sb/sth is defensive
The troops took up a defensive position.
- to succeed in defending sb/sth: save sb/sth (from sth/doing sth)
to save sb's life ◎ to save sb from drowning
- the activity of defending yourself: self-defence (AmE self-defense)(noun U)
to shoot sb in self-defence
※ defending yourself or another person in a fight FIGHT
- protection from danger or bad weather: shelter (noun U), cover (noun U)
We took shelter in a shop doorway to escape from the rain. ◎ The soldiers had no cover and were easy targets.
- to protect yourself or another person from danger or bad weather: shelter (sb) (from sb/sth)
Caroline agreed to shelter her brother from the police. ◎ There are now 100 refugees sheltering in foreign embassies.
- a small building that gives protection or cover from danger or bad weather: shelter
a bus shelter
- to go with sb to protect them: escort sb; a person or a group of people that goes with somebody to protect them: escort
We escorted her to the bus stop. ◎ a police escort
※—† people and animals that protect people and things
- a person who protects sb/sth: protector
- a person who guards buildings, people, etc: guard
a security guard
- a man whose job is to protect a building at night: nightwatchman
- a person whose job is to protect a person: bodyguard
The president was surrounded by his bodyguards.
- a person whose job is to protect people from drowning in the sea, in a swimming pool, etc: lifeguard
- a dog that is trained to protect a building or place from people: guard dog

2 preventing accidents
- a thing that protects sb/sth from danger or accident: defence (AmE defense)
London has good defences against flooding.
- to put sth on or in front of sb/sth in order to protect them/it: cover sb/sth (over/up) (with sth)
I covered the floor with a newspaper before I started painting.
- a thing that covers sth dangerous or that protects sth: guard
a fireguard ◎ mudguards over the wheels of a car
- a flat, upright surface that is used to hide or protect sb/sth from sb/sth: screen
He stood behind a bullet-proof glass screen.
- a belt that you wear in a car, aeroplane, etc to protect yourself if there is an accident: seat belt, safety belt
Please fasten your seat belts.
- special glasses that you wear to protect your eyes from water, wind, dust, etc: goggles
- a special kind of hard hat that you wear to protect your head: helmet
a motorcycle helmet
※ more on accidents ACCIDENT

3 protecting health
- connected with the protection of health: sanitary
They're trying to improve sanitary conditions in the camps.
- a system for protecting public health, especially by removing waste: sanitation (noun U)
※ protecting health by keeping things clean CLEAN/DIRTY
- to protect sb from a disease by giving them an injection: vaccinate sb (against sth), immunize sb (against sth); an injection of this kind: vaccination (noun C/U), immunization (noun C/U)
plans to vaccinate all children against measles
- if you are protected against an illness you are immune (from sth); noun (U): immunity (from sth)
※—† MORE ...
- a place where sb/sth can be safe from enemies: sanctuary, refuge
a bird sanctuary ◎ a refuge for battered women
- protection that a government gives to people who have left their country for political reasons: asylum (noun U)
to seek political asylum
- to find protection against sth: take* refuge (from sb/sth)
We took refuge in an old barn.