protectorate — English Dictionary

Noun

1. Government by a protector; especially, The Protectorate: government of England, Scotland, and Ireland between 1653 and 1659 under the Lord Protector of the Commonwealth Oliver Cromwell, later his son Richard Cromwell.

   Usage

   • UK usage
   • Historical

2. The office or position of the Lord Protector of the Commonwealth.

   Usage

   • UK usage
   • Historical

3. The authority assumed by a state over another state deemed inferior or dependent, whereby the former protects the latter from invasion and shares in the management of its affairs but the protected state retains its nominal sovereignty.

   Examples

   Egypt became a British protectorate in 1914.

4. An autonomous state under protectorate.

5. The office or position of protector (sense 5).

   Synonyms

   regency

Noun

1. a state or territory partly controlled by (but not a possession of) a stronger state but autonomous in internal affairs; protectorates are established by treaty

   Synonyms

   associated state

   Broader terms

   districtterritoryterritorial dominiondominion