How to pronounce protection
Say it like pruh-TEK-shun. Protection has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (TEK).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce protection. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- pruh
- TEK
- shun
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Protection 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.
- TEKSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- shunKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of protection
American and British speakers say protection in essentially the same way: /prəˈtɛkʃən/ in the US and /prəˈtɛkʃən/ in the UK.
British respelling: pruh-TEK-shun.
What does protection mean?
- the activity of protecting someone or something“the witnesses demanded police protection”
- a covering that is intend to protect from damage or injury“they had no protection from the fallout”“wax provided protection for the floors”
- defense against financial failure; financial independence“his pension gave him security in his old age”“insurance provided protection against loss of wages due to illness”
Where does protection come from?
From Middle English, from Old French, from stem of Late Latin prōtectiō (“a covering over”), from Latin prōtēctus, perfect passive participle of prōtegere (“to protect, cover in front”).
Words that rhyme with protection
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of protection.
Questions about saying protection
How do you pronounce protection?
Say pruh-TEK-shun. The American pronunciation is /prəˈtɛkʃən/. In British English it is /prəˈtɛkʃən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in protection?
Protection has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (TEK). Broken into parts: pruh · TEK · shun.
Do Americans and Brits say protection the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /prəˈtɛkʃən/ and the British form is /prəˈtɛkʃən/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.