A protector is someone or something that keeps another person, place, or thing safe from harm or danger. When a big brother watches out for his younger sister on the playground, he's acting as her protector. When a firefighter rushes into a burning building to save people, she's serving as a protector of her community.

A protector stands between someone vulnerable and whatever threatens them. A knight's armor protects his body in battle. A helmet protects a cyclist's head during a fall. Sunscreen protects your skin from harmful rays.

Protectors can be people, animals, or objects. Guard dogs serve as protectors of property. A phone case protects your device from drops and scratches. Parents are natural protectors of their children, working to keep them safe, healthy, and secure.

Sometimes the word describes an official role, like a Protector of the Realm in medieval times, someone appointed to defend a kingdom. Being a protector means caring enough about someone or something to stand up for them when needed.