Definition of "protective" []

• Adapted or intended to afford protection. (adjective)
• Something that protects. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "The aim should be to aggressively create what he calls a "protective barrier" against loneliness."
• "MIKE BROOKS, FORMER D.C. POLIC., C.N LAW ENFORC.MENT ANALYST: That ` s exactly right, Nancy, because he was in what they call protective custody."
• "If he goes life without parole, he will be in a level three or level four prison probably in a special needs yard, which is what they call protective custody."