protocol

noun

pro·​to·​col ˈprō-tə-ˌkȯl How to pronounce protocol (audio)
-ˌkōl,
-ˌkäl,
-kəl
1
: an original draft, minute, or record of a document or transaction
2
a
: a preliminary memorandum often formulated and signed by diplomatic negotiators as a basis for a final convention or treaty
b
: the records or minutes of a diplomatic conference or congress that show officially the agreements arrived at by the negotiators
3
a
: a code prescribing strict adherence to correct etiquette and precedence (as in diplomatic exchange and in the military services)
a breach of protocol
b
: a set of conventions governing the treatment and especially the formatting of data in an electronic communications system
network protocols
4
: a detailed plan of a scientific or medical experiment, treatment, or procedure

Did you know?

Protocol and Politics

In Late Greek, the word prōtokollon referred to the first sheet of a papyrus roll bearing the date of its manufacture. In some instances, it consisted of a flyleaf that was glued to the outside of a manuscript's case and provided a description of its contents. Coming from the Greek prefix prōto- ("first") and the noun kolla ("glue"), prōtokollon gave us our word protocol. In its earliest uses in the 15th century, the word referred to a prologue or preface and also to a record of a document or transaction. In the late 19th century, it began to be used in reference to the etiquette observed by the Head of State of France in ceremonies and relations with other dignitaries. This sense has since extended in meaning to cover any code of proper conduct.

Examples of protocol in a Sentence

Typically, those who make pronouncements like this assume (without saying so) that the tongues making up the multitude will belong to persons who are committed to the protocols of rational inquiry; frivolous persons, persons who exploit those protocols or play with them to gain political ends, are not imagined. Stanley Fish, Harper's, December 2005
Purcell even flouted the timeless protocol of pretending to admire the work of his fellow editors. Tobias Wolff, Old School, 2003
Today, thanks to the civil-rights movement, white guilt is propriety—an utterly invisible code that defines decency in our culture with thousands of little protocols we no longer even think about. Shelby Steele, Harper's, November 2002
The soldier's actions constitute a breach of military protocol. They did not follow the proper diplomatic protocols. What is the proper protocol for declining a job offer? the Geneva Protocol of 1925
Recent Examples on the Web The current protocol between Israel and Egypt, agreed on when Israel withdrew its troops and settlers from Gaza in 2005, assigns Egypt to secure the border with a force of 750 soldiers equipped to combat terrorism and smuggling. Steven Erlanger, New York Times, 24 Apr. 2024 In a statement, senior district officials declined to respond to questions submitted about the protocols for those involved in safe passages, for example, under what circumstances they are supposed to alert the school police. Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2024 The Prime Intellect protocol will offer the infrastructure and building blocks for decentralized AI development by rewarding participants for contributing compute, code, and capital, and enables collective governance of the model. Niamh Rowe, Fortune, 23 Apr. 2024 The Geneva Conventions, their protocols, and the customary international law that has grown around them take an important step beyond the rules that came before. Oona A. Hathaway, Foreign Affairs, 23 Apr. 2024 In the case of a student threatening to physically harm someone, whether it is spoken, written or gestured, the Arizona Department of Education encourages schools to have a threat assessment protocol and build a team to determine whether the student legitimately poses a threat of violence. The Arizona Republic, 22 Apr. 2024 Modes of transmission and attack rates of group A Streptococcal infection: a protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis eBioMedicine. Lily Carey, Discover Magazine, 22 Apr. 2024 Is banning them the solution? Princeton High School's universal protocol requires students to drop off their phones at the start of each class period and then pick them up at the end of class. The Enquirer, 21 Apr. 2024 An inspector will look to ensure safety regulations and proper protocol were followed. Jeff A. Chamer, Charlotte Observer, 19 Apr. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'protocol.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle French prothocole, from Medieval Latin protocollum, from Late Greek prōtokollon first sheet of a papyrus roll bearing date of manufacture, from Greek prōt- prot- + kollan to glue together, from kolla glue; perhaps akin to Middle Dutch helen to glue

First Known Use

1541, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of protocol was in 1541

Podcast

Dictionary Entries Near protocol

Cite this Entry

“Protocol.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/protocol. Accessed 3 May. 2024.

Kids Definition

protocol

noun
pro·​to·​col ˈprōt-ə-ˌkȯl How to pronounce protocol (audio)
1
: an original copy or record of a document
2
: a code of diplomatic or military rules of behavior
3
: a set of rules for the formatting of data in an electronic communications system
network protocols

Medical Definition

protocol

noun
1
: an official account of a proceeding
especially : the notes or records relating to a case, an experiment, or an autopsy
2
: a detailed plan of a scientific or medical experiment, treatment, or procedure
cryotherapy was performed in approximately half of the eyes through a randomization protocolJournal of the American Medical Association

Legal Definition

protocol

noun
pro·​to·​col ˈprō-tə-ˌkȯl How to pronounce protocol (audio)
1
: an original draft, minute, or record of a document or transaction
2
a
: a preliminary memorandum often formulated and signed by diplomatic negotiators as a basis for a final convention or treaty
b
: the records or minutes of a diplomatic conference or congress that show officially the agreements arrived at by the negotiators
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!