present participle
Keeping a person, animal, or thing safe from harm, injury, damage, or loss.
The officer is protecting the crowd from danger.
The helmet is protecting his head from injury.
American English
How to pronounce protecting
verb · nounB1Very common word
pruhTEHKtihng
/pʰɹəˈtʰɛk.tɪŋ/
3 syllables · Stress the second syllable.
Form of protect
Protecting can be a present participle in a progressive verb phrase or a gerund that functions like a noun.
Keeping a person, animal, or thing safe from harm, injury, damage, or loss.
Practice out loudMeanings & examples
present participle
Defending a right, interest, or group against unfair treatment or loss.
The law is protecting workers from discrimination.
The campaign is protecting tenants' rights.
gerund
The act of keeping a person, animal, or thing safe from harm, injury, damage, or loss.
Protecting children from violence is everyone's responsibility.
Protecting your eyes from bright light is important.
gerund
The act of defending a right, interest, or group against unfair treatment or loss.
Protecting workers from discrimination requires strong laws.
Protecting tenants' rights takes constant effort.
Useful expressions
being kept safe by someone or something
The refugees were under the protection of the United Nations.