Meaning & use
protectorate countries
Last updated
Meaning
phraseplural
Countries or territories that are controlled and protected by a stronger state while keeping some local government.
Grammar: Used as a plural noun phrase; the singular is 'protectorate country'.
Patterns
- a protectorate country
- former protectorate countries
- protectorate countries under British rule
Many protectorate countries in Africa gained independence in the 1960s.
The treaty turned several small kingdoms into protectorate countries.
Historians compare protectorate countries with fully annexed colonies.
Word forms
| singular | protectorate country |
|---|
Common combinations
- former protectorate countries
- Former protectorate countries often keep the legal system of the protecting power.
- a British protectorate
- The island was a British protectorate for nearly a century.
- under protectorate status
- The region remained under protectorate status until 1971.
- protectorate agreement
- A protectorate agreement gave the stronger state control of defense and foreign affairs.
Synonyms and how they differ
- protectorate
- Use the singular 'protectorate' for one territory; 'protectorate countries' is a plural descriptive phrase.
- dependent territory
- This is broader and can include colonies and overseas territories, not only protectorates.
Opposites
Word family
- protectorate noun
- A territory controlled and defended by a stronger state.
- protector noun
- A person or state that protects someone or something.
- protect verb
- To keep someone or something safe from harm.
Commonly confused: protectorate countries or protector?
protectorate countries vs protector
A protector is a person or thing that protects; a protectorate is the territory being protected.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'protectorate countries' correctly?
Choose one answer.
Option 0 uses the phrase in its political sense: territories controlled by a stronger state. The other options use it as an emotion, an ingredient, or an exercise, which are unrelated meanings.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “protectorate countries”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.