Dictionary

protest en · NOUN

Pronunciation

• /ˈpɹoʊ.tɛst/ (US)
• prōʹtĕst (US)
• (General-American) audio
• /ˈpɹəʊ.tɛst/ (UK)

Etymology

PIE word *tréyes From the Middle English verb protesten, from Old French protester, from Latin prōtestārī, from prō + testor, from testis (“witness”).

Meanings

1. (countable, uncountable) A formal objection, especially one by a group.
   • They lodged a protest with the authorities.
2. (countable, uncountable) A collective gesture of disapproval; a demonstration.
   • We held a protest in front of City Hall.
   • All this has led to an explosion of protest across China, including among a middle class that has discovered nimbyism. 2013 August 10, “Can China clean up fast enough?”, in The Economist, volume 408, number 8848:
   • Sage Ip, a 29-year-old flight attendant who cast her ballot on Sunday in the Sai Ying Pun district, said she voted in the primary because she was worried that she would never get a chance to do so again. “Voting is something that is still within our capacity. We can’t express ourselves at protests anymore.” 2020 July 13, Austin Ramzy, Elaine Yu, Tiffany May, “Hong Kong Voters Defy Beijing, Endorsing Protest Leaders in Primary”, in The New York Times, →ISSN, →OCLC, archived from the original on 14 Jul 2020:
3. (countable, uncountable) The noting by a notary public of an unpaid or unaccepted bill.
4. (countable, uncountable) A written declaration, usually by the master of a ship, stating the circumstances attending loss or damage of ship or cargo, etc.

Forms

Deriveds

cyberprotest · methinks thou dost protest too much · Protestant · protest march · protest too much · nonprotest · the lady doth protest too much · protestation · protestable · supraprotest · protestware · protestive · protest song · antiprotest · ecoprotest · under protest · protest vote · protester · counterprotest · dirty protest · in protest · methinks the lady doth protest too much

Synonyms

dissent · objection · protestation

Translations (155)

az اعتراض (formal objection) · ug نارازىلىق (formal objection) · uk проте́ст (formal objection) · yue 抗議 /抗议 (formal objection) · hi विरोध प्रदर्शन (collective gesture of disapproval: demonstration — see also demonstration) · el διαμαρτυρία (formal objection) · ar اِعْتِرَاض (formal objection) · fa-ira اِعْتِراض (formal objection) · ru манифеста́ция (collective gesture of disapproval: demonstration — see also demonstration) · fr protestation (collective gesture of disapproval: demonstration — see also demonstration) · eu manifestazio (collective gesture of disapproval: demonstration — see also demonstration) · be дэманстра́цыя (collective gesture of disapproval: demonstration — see also demonstration) · uz protest (formal objection) · tg эътироз (collective gesture of disapproval: demonstration — see also demonstration) · pl protest (collective gesture of disapproval: demonstration — see also demonstration) · lv protests (collective gesture of disapproval: demonstration — see also demonstration) · prs اِعْتِرَاض (formal objection) · ca protesta (formal objection) · pt protesto (formal objection) · ro protest (collective gesture of disapproval: demonstration — see also demonstration) · ko 항의 (formal objection) · sh про̀тест (formal objection) · et protest (formal objection) · cy protest (collective gesture of disapproval: demonstration — see also demonstration) · lt protestas (formal objection) · hu tiltakozás (formal objection) · sv protest (collective gesture of disapproval: demonstration — see also demonstration) · pl demonstracja (collective gesture of disapproval: demonstration — see also demonstration) · et protest (collective gesture of disapproval: demonstration — see also demonstration) · mk протест (collective gesture of disapproval: demonstration — see also demonstration) · ps اعتراض (formal objection) · mi mautohetanga (formal objection) · nl protest (formal objection) · fi meriselitys (written declaration stating the circumstances attending loss or damage of ship or cargo, etc.) · fr manifestation (collective gesture of disapproval: demonstration — see also demonstration) · vi (sự) phản đối (formal objection) · sl ugovor (formal objection) · it protesta (formal objection) · ja 抗議 (formal objection) · mn эсэргүүцэл (formal objection) · pl protest (formal objection) · ro manifestație (collective gesture of disapproval: demonstration — see also demonstration) · de Widerspruch (formal objection) · lt protestas (collective gesture of disapproval: demonstration — see also demonstration) · ro miting (collective gesture of disapproval: demonstration — see also demonstration) · sh pròtest (collective gesture of disapproval: demonstration — see also demonstration) · be маніфеста́цыя (collective gesture of disapproval: demonstration — see also demonstration) · eu protesta (formal objection) · ja プロテスト (formal objection) · kk наразылық (formal objection) · de Protest (collective gesture of disapproval: demonstration — see also demonstration) · it protesta (collective gesture of disapproval: demonstration — see also demonstration) · ka პროტესტი (collective gesture of disapproval: demonstration — see also demonstration) · be мі́тынг (collective gesture of disapproval: demonstration — see also demonstration) · hu tüntetés (collective gesture of disapproval: demonstration — see also demonstration) · es manifestación (collective gesture of disapproval: demonstration — see also demonstration) · el διαμαρτυρία (collective gesture of disapproval: demonstration — see also demonstration) · ro protest (formal objection) · uz norozilik (formal objection) · sk protest (formal objection) · hi विरोध (collective gesture of disapproval: demonstration — see also demonstration) · hy բողոք (formal objection) · tk nägilelik (formal objection) · nb protest (collective gesture of disapproval: demonstration — see also demonstration) · fi mielenosoitus (collective gesture of disapproval: demonstration — see also demonstration) · sh pròtest (formal objection) · uz eʼtiroz (formal objection) · se miellačájeheapmi (collective gesture of disapproval: demonstration — see also demonstration) · az etiraz (collective gesture of disapproval: demonstration — see also demonstration) · prs اِحْتِجَاج (formal objection) · de Einspruch (formal objection) · es protestadera (formal objection) · fi protesti (formal objection) · fi maksukehotus (noting by a notary public of an unpaid or unaccepted bill) · sl protest (formal objection) · lo ການປະທ້ວງ (collective gesture of disapproval: demonstration — see also demonstration) · de Demonstration (collective gesture of disapproval: demonstration — see also demonstration) · uk демонстра́ція (collective gesture of disapproval: demonstration — see also demonstration) · uk проте́ст (collective gesture of disapproval: demonstration — see also demonstration) · vi (sự) kháng nghị (formal objection) · ta போராட்டம் (collective gesture of disapproval: demonstration — see also demonstration) · fa-ira اِعْتِراض (collective gesture of disapproval: demonstration — see also demonstration) · ru проте́ст (collective gesture of disapproval: demonstration — see also demonstration) · uk маніфеста́ція (collective gesture of disapproval: demonstration — see also demonstration) · mk протест (formal objection) · sl protest (collective gesture of disapproval: demonstration — see also demonstration) · ka პროტესტი (formal objection) · fr protestation (formal objection) · ar اِحْتِجَاج (formal objection) · ur اِعْتِراض (formal objection) · fi vastalause (formal objection) · ps احتجاج (formal objection) · my ဆန္ဒပြပွဲ (collective gesture of disapproval: demonstration — see also demonstration) · bg проте́ст (formal objection) · tr itiraz (formal objection) · sq protestë (formal objection) · be пратэ́ст (collective gesture of disapproval: demonstration — see also demonstration) · bg проте́ст (collective gesture of disapproval: demonstration — see also demonstration) · ru демонстра́ция (collective gesture of disapproval: demonstration — see also demonstration) · he מְחָאָה (collective gesture of disapproval: demonstration — see also demonstration) · is mótmæli (collective gesture of disapproval: demonstration — see also demonstration) · ky каршылык (formal objection) · hi अस्वीकार (formal objection) · bg демонстра́ция (collective gesture of disapproval: demonstration — see also demonstration) · is mótmæli (formal objection) · es protesta (formal objection) · cmn 抗議 /抗议 (collective gesture of disapproval: demonstration — see also demonstration) · de Protest (formal objection) · be пратэ́ст (formal objection) · te నిరసన (formal objection) · hi आपत्ति (formal objection) · sh про̀тест (collective gesture of disapproval: demonstration — see also demonstration) · ky нааразычылык (formal objection) · ro demonstrație (collective gesture of disapproval: demonstration — see also demonstration) · sv protest (formal objection) · cmn 抗議 /抗议 (formal objection) · se demonstrašuvdna (collective gesture of disapproval: demonstration — see also demonstration) · km បាតុកម្ម (collective gesture of disapproval: demonstration — see also demonstration) · az etiraz (formal objection) · bn এতেরাজ (formal objection) · mi porotēhi (formal objection) · vi (cuộc) biểu tình (collective gesture of disapproval: demonstration — see also demonstration) · tr protesto (collective gesture of disapproval: demonstration — see also demonstration) · fa-ira اِحْتِجاج (formal objection) · lv protests (formal objection) · nl protest (collective gesture of disapproval: demonstration — see also demonstration) · pt manifestação (collective gesture of disapproval: demonstration — see also demonstration) · ta கண்டிப்பு (formal objection) · se miellačájáhus (collective gesture of disapproval: demonstration — see also demonstration) · sk protest (collective gesture of disapproval: demonstration — see also demonstration) · ga agóid (formal objection) · th การประท้วง (collective gesture of disapproval: demonstration — see also demonstration) · es estriladera (formal objection) · eo protesto (formal objection) · bg ми́тинг (collective gesture of disapproval: demonstration — see also demonstration) · tg эътироз (formal objection) · cs protest (collective gesture of disapproval: demonstration — see also demonstration) · ta எதிர்ப்பு (formal objection) · sv gensaga (formal objection) · uk мі́тинг (collective gesture of disapproval: demonstration — see also demonstration) · hi प्रतिवाद (formal objection) · nb protest (formal objection) · ru ми́тинг (collective gesture of disapproval: demonstration — see also demonstration) · sq protestë (collective gesture of disapproval: demonstration — see also demonstration) · nan-hbl 抗議 /抗议 (formal objection) · cs protest (formal objection) · hy բողոք (collective gesture of disapproval: demonstration — see also demonstration) · da protest (formal objection) · ky протест (formal objection) · yue 抗議 /抗议 (collective gesture of disapproval: demonstration — see also demonstration) · ur اِحْتِجاج (formal objection) · da protest (collective gesture of disapproval: demonstration — see also demonstration) · fo mótmæli (formal objection) · ru проте́ст (formal objection) · ky нааразылык (formal objection)

protest en · VERB

Pronunciation

• prə.tĕstʹ
• /ˈpɹoʊ.tɛst/ (US)
• (US) audio
• /pɹəˈtɛst/
• prōʹtĕst (US)
• (General-American) audio
• /ˈpɹəʊ.tɛst/ (UK)

Etymology

PIE word *tréyes From the Middle English verb protesten, from Old French protester, from Latin prōtestārī, from prō + testor, from testis (“witness”).

Meanings

1. (intransitive) To make a strong objection.
   • As a political system democracy seems to me extraordinarily foolish, but I would not go out of my way to protest against it. My servant is, so far as I am concerned, welcome to as many votes as he can get. I would very gladly make mine over to him if I could. 1915, G[eorge] A. Birmingham [pseudonym; James Owen Hannay], chapter I, in Gossamer, New York, N.Y.: George H. Doran Company, →OCLC:
   • On November 29 1952, a special train ran from Sunderland to Leeds for Christmas shoppers and those attending a Leeds vs. Brentford match. It caused controversy, with Sunderland traders protesting that their shops were just as good as those in Leeds. 2023 December 27, David Turner, “Silent lines...”, in RAIL, number 999, page 29:
   • U.S. and European protested against Spanish conduct in Cuba. 2009, Cuba:
   • How dare you, I protest!
   • The public took to the streets to protest over the planned change to the law.
2. (transitive) To affirm (something).
   • I protest my innocence.
   • She flashed a smile at me, and, protesting an engagement with her dentist, jauntily walked on. 1919, W[illiam] Somerset Maugham, “Ch.8”, in The Moon and Sixpence, [New York, N.Y.]: Grosset & Dunlap Publishers […], →OCLC:
   • I will protest your cowardice. 1598–1599 (first performance), William Shakespeare, “Much Adoe about Nothing”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act V, scene i]:
   • I do protest and declare …
   • Our youth, now, emboldened with his success, resolved to push the matter farther, and ventured even to beg her recommendation of him to her father's service; protesting that he thought him one of the honestest fellows in the country, and extremely well qualified for the place of a gamekeeper, which luckily then happened to be vacant. 1749, Henry Fielding, The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling, volume (please specify |volume=I to VI), London: A[ndrew] Millar, […], →OCLC:
3. To object to.
   • "The gay community would love to point to Patti and say, 'She's one of us'" […] I protest the statement I have mentioned, as well as others like it. Few people I know, gay or straight, identify with the often outrageous thoughts of Patti Smith. Among other things, she's indicated in interviews that she thinks violence and rape are dandy experiences. 1976 February 14, Joan DeForeest, “Irresponsible Inaccuracies Infuriate”, in Gay Community News, volume 3, number 33, page 5:
4. (Canada, US, transitive) To publicly demonstrate against.
   • They protested the demolition of the school.
5. To call as a witness in affirming or denying, or to prove an affirmation; to appeal to.
   • Fiercely [they] opposed / My journey strange, with clamorous uproar / Protesting fate supreme. 1667, John Milton, “Book IX”, in Paradise Lost. […], London: […] [Samuel Simmons], and are to be sold by Peter Parker […]; [a]nd by Robert Boulter […]; [a]nd Matthias Walker, […], →OCLC; republished as Paradise Lost in Ten Books: […], London: Basil Montagu Pickering […], 1873, →OCLC:
6. (transitive) to make a solemn written declaration, in due form, on behalf of the holder, against all parties liable for any loss or damage to be sustained by non-acceptance or non-payment of (a bill or note). This should be made by a notary public, whose seal it is the usual practice to affix.
7. (obsolete, transitive) To publish; to make known.

Forms

Translations (98)

ru протестова́ть (to make a strong objection) · mk протести́ра (to make a strong objection) · nan-hbl 抗議 /抗议 (to make a strong objection) · ta கண்டி (to make a strong objection) · sv inlägga protest (to make a strong objection) · km តវ៉ា (to make a strong objection) · bg протести́рам (to make a strong objection) · ru торже́ственно заявля́ть (to affirm) · sl ugovarjati (to make a strong objection) · fi vakuuttaa (to affirm) · hu kijelent (to affirm) · mi porotēhe (to make a strong objection) · ru кля́твенно заверя́ть (to affirm) · az etiraz etmək (to make a strong objection) · ta எதிர் (to make a strong objection) · vi biểu tình (to make a strong objection) · sv protestera (to make a strong objection) · no protestere (to make a strong objection) · mn эсэргүүцэх (to make a strong objection) · es proclamar (to affirm) · sh protestovati (to make a strong objection) · fi protestoida (mostly US: to object to) · ar اِعْتَرَضَ (to make a strong objection) · de demonstrieren (to make a strong objection) · he מָחָה (to make a strong objection) · es oponerse (mostly US: to object to) · fi vastustaa (to make a strong objection) · sh prosvedovati (to make a strong objection) · pl zaprotestować (to make a strong objection) · uk протестува́ти (to make a strong objection) · th ติง (to make a strong objection) · sh prosvjedovati (to make a strong objection) · ca protestar (to make a strong objection) · sl protestirati (mostly US: to object to) · th คัดค้าน (to make a strong objection) · sl protestirati (to make a strong objection) · ru уверя́ть (to affirm) · vo protest (to make a strong objection) · ko 항의하다 (to make a strong objection) · ta உறுதிப்படுத்து (to affirm) · ar اِحْتَجَّ (to make a strong objection) · gd tog fianais (to make a strong objection) · es funar (to make a strong objection) · ta எதிர் (mostly US: to object to) · ga agóid (to make a strong objection) · ro protesta (to make a strong objection) · cmn 抗議 /抗议 (to make a strong objection) · yue 抗議 /抗议 (to make a strong objection) · vi phản kháng (mostly US: to object to) · sk protestovať (to make a strong objection) · km ចំទាស់ (mostly US: to object to) · fi protestoida (to make a strong objection) · de Einwände äußern (mostly US: to object to) · hu tiltakozik (to make a strong objection) · nl protesteren (to make a strong objection) · hu megerősít (to affirm) · ga áitigh (to affirm) · sv protestera mot (mostly US: to object to) · sv bedyra (to affirm) · te నిరసించు (to make a strong objection) · is mótmæla (to make a strong objection) · th ค้าน (to make a strong objection) · io revoltar (to make a strong objection) · sv försäkra (to affirm) · hy առարկել (to make a strong objection) · io revoltigar (mostly US: to object to) · vi cam đoan (to affirm) · be пратэстава́ць (to make a strong objection) · it protestare (to make a strong objection) · de Einspruch erheben (mostly US: to object to) · se čájehit miela (mostly US: to object to) · cs protestovat (to make a strong objection) · el διαμαρτύρομαι (to make a strong objection) · pt protestar (to make a strong objection) · sh protestirati (to make a strong objection) · fa اعتراض کردن (to make a strong objection) · la reclāmō (to make a strong objection) · eo protesti (to make a strong objection) · th ประท้วง (to make a strong objection) · es estriladera (to make a strong objection) · hy բողոքել (to make a strong objection) · ja 抗議する (to make a strong objection) · ta கண்டி (mostly US: to object to) · sl ugovarjati (mostly US: to object to) · es protestar (to make a strong objection) · hu hangoztat (to affirm) · ka პროტესტის გამოცხადება (to make a strong objection) · sh протестовати (to make a strong objection) · de protestieren (to make a strong objection) · fr protester (to make a strong objection) · no protestere (mostly US: to object to) · mi mautohe (to make a strong objection) · se demonstreret (mostly US: to object to) · mi porotēhi (to make a strong objection) · fi vastustaa (mostly US: to object to) · es objetar (mostly US: to object to) · pl protestować (to make a strong objection) · vi phản đối (mostly US: to object to)