the act of protecting or the state of being protected; preservation from injury or harm.

a thing, person, or group that protects

This vaccine is a protection against disease.

patronage.

Insurance . coverage ( def. 1 ) .

Informal .

money paid to racketeers for a guarantee against threatened violence.

bribe money paid to the police, politicians, or other authorities for overlooking criminal activity.

Economics . protectionism.

a document that assures safety from harm, delay, or the like, for the person, persons, or property specified in it.

Archaic . a document given by the U.S. customs authorities to a sailor traveling abroad certifying that the holder is a citizen of the U.S.

noun

attack , harm , hurt , injury , threat

noun

aegis , armament , armor , assurance , barrier , buffer , bulwark , camouflage , certainty , charge , conservation , cover , custody , defense , fix , guard , guarding , insurance , invulnerability , preservation , protecting , reassurance , refuge , safeguard , safekeeping , safety , salvation , screen , security , self-defense , shelter , shield , stability , strength , surety , tutelage , umbrella * , ward , wardship , protector , asylum , covert , harbor , haven , retreat , sanctuary , auspice , auspices , bastion , bribe , care , coverture , egis , extortion , fixative , fort , graft , guardianship , hedge , immunity , indemnity , maintenance , moat , muniment , palladium , patent , patronage , rampart , shakedown , smock , umbrella , upkeep