1.the activity of protecting someone or something;
the witnesses demanded police protection
2.a covering that is intend to protect from damage or injury;
they had no protection from the fallout
3.defense against financial failure; financial independence;
his pension gave him security in his old age
4.the condition of being protected;
they were huddled together for protection
5.kindly endorsement and guidance;
the tournament was held under the auspices of the city council
6.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.payment extorted by gangsters on threat of violence;
every store in the neighborhood had to pay him protection