Pronunciation: (pru-tek'shu-niz"um), [key]
1. Econ.the theory, practice, or system of fostering or developing domestic industries by protecting them from foreign competition through duties or quotas imposed on importations.
2. any program, policy, or system of laws that seeks to provide protection for property owners, wildlife, the environment, etc.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.