protectorate
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.
Example
“Egypt became a British protectorate in 1914.”
Other meanings
An autonomous state under protectorate.
The office or position of protector (sense 5).
Synonyms
- associated state
Related words
- Somali Coast Protectorate
Where this comes from
This definition is adapted from “protectorate” on Wiktionary, by its contributors; related-word lists use Open English WordNet (CC BY 4.0, based on Princeton WordNet), published under CC BY-SA 4.0. This page is published under the same licence.