protect/prəˋtɛkt; prəˈtekt/v [I,T] to prevent someone or something from being harmed or damaged [→ protection, protective] 保护﹔防护: laws to protect the environment 保护环境的法律protect sb/sth from sth The cover protects the machine from dust. 这罩子防止灰尘落进机器里。protect (sb/sth) against sth a cream to protect your skin against sunburn 一种保护皮肤不被晒伤的乳霜 —protected adj : Owls are a protected species. 猫头鹰是受保护的物种。 —protector n [C]