1 [onlybeforenoun] providing or intended to provide protection:
Workers should wear full protective clothing. * a protective layer of varnish * a protective barrier against the sun's rays
2 ~ (of / towards sb/sth) having or showing a wish to protect sb/sth:
She had been fiercely protective towards him as a teenager. * He was extremely protective of his role as advisor. * He put a protective arm around her shoulders. * Parents can easily become over-protective of their children (= want to protect them too much).
3 intended to give an advantage to your own country's industry:
protective legislation / tariffs
protectively adverb:
She clutched her bag protectively.
protectiveness noun [U]
