protection

noun

• the action of protecting, or the state of being protected:the B vitamins give protection against infection his son was put under police protection
• a person or thing that protects someone or something:the castle was built as protection against the Saxons [in singular]:a protection against the evil eye
• [count noun] (usually protections) a legal or other formal measure intended to preserve civil liberties and rights: most Western countries provide constitutional protections for the civil and political rights of their citizens
• [count noun] a document guaranteeing immunity from harm to the person specified in it.
• the practice of paying money to criminals so as to prevent them from attacking oneself or one’s property: [as modifier]:a protection racket protection money
• protection money paid to criminals, especially on a regular basis.
• Climbing the number and quality of running belays or other equipment employed to safeguard a pitch: most European climbers drill bolts into rock rather than using removable protection