How to pronounce protect
Say it like pruh-TEKT. Protect has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (TEKT).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce protect. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- pruh
- TEKT
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Protect pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- pruhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- TEKTSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
American vs British pronunciation of protect
American and British speakers say protect in essentially the same way: /prəˈtɛkt/ in the US and /prəˈtɛkt/ in the UK.
British respelling: pruh-TEKT.
What does protect mean?
- shield from danger, injury, destruction, or damage“Weatherbeater protects your roof from the rain”
- use tariffs to favor domestic industry
Where does protect come from?
Attested in English since 1530, from Latin prōtēctus (“covered, protected”), past participle of prōtegō, prōtegere (“to cover the front, protect”) from prō, prō- (“before, in front of”) + tegō, tegere (“to cover”), see tegument.
Words that rhyme with protect
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of protect.
Questions about saying protect
How do you pronounce protect?
Say pruh-TEKT. The American pronunciation is /prəˈtɛkt/. In British English it is /prəˈtɛkt/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in protect?
Protect has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (TEKT). Broken into parts: pruh · TEKT.
Do Americans and Brits say protect the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /prəˈtɛkt/ and the British form is /prəˈtɛkt/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.