Macmillan Dictionary

Did you know?

Click any word in a definition or example to find the entry for that word

To protect or defend someone or something

protect

verb

to keep someone or something safe from harm, injury, damage, or loss

defend

verb

to protect someone or something from attack

save

verb

to make it possible for someone or something to avoid danger, harm, injury etc

stand up for

to defend someone or something that is being criticized or attacked

guard

verb

to protect someone or something from something dangerous or unpleasant

shield

verb

to protect something, usually from being hit, touched, or seen

watch over

to guard, protect, or be in charge of someone or something

safeguard

verb

to protect something or someone from being harmed or having problems

shelter

verb

to protect someone from difficult or unpleasant experiences

keep (a) watch

to watch someone carefully to make sure that they are safe or that they do not do something bad

caxirola

a percussion instrument used by football fans which makes a rattling sound when shaken

BuzzWord Article

Word of the Day

glean

to learn small pieces of information by asking questions or watching or listening carefully

Open Dictionary

pierce the corporate veil

… the decision to treat the rights and duties of a company as being the same as the rights and duties of its shareholders

add a word

Blog

A must for anyone with an interest in the changing face of language. The Macmillan Dictionary blog explores English as it is spoken around the world today.

global English and language change from our blog