protocol

The word “protocol” means the official rules of correct conduct in formal or diplomatic situations. In plain terms, a set of official rules or an agreed procedure — used for diplomacy, computer networks, science, and medicine alike.

“Protocol” is pronounced PROH-tuh-kol (/ˈpɹoʊtəˌkɑl/ in IPA).

Here is “protocol” used in a sentence: “Breaking with protocol, the ambassador spoke without notes.”

“Protocol” is a noun.

The word “protocol” comes from Greek. From Byzantine Greek prōtókollon, "first sheet glued to a manuscript," from prôtos ("first") plus kólla ("glue") — originally the cover page of an official document.

“Protocol” is a fairly common word in modern English.

“Protocol” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the official rules of correct conduct in formal or diplomatic situations.

Protocol refers to the official, often formal or diplomatic rules of correct conduct in a particular setting, while etiquette is the broader set of social manners governing polite behaviour. Protocol tends to be codified and situation-specific, whereas etiquette is more general and customary.

A protocol is a set of agreed rules or standards that define how something should be done or how parties should behave, while a procedure is the specific sequence of steps carried out to complete a task. In computing, a protocol governs how data is exchanged, and a procedure describes the actions a program performs.

'Protocol' can be both: it is countable when referring to a specific set of rules ('a network protocol', 'several protocols') and uncountable when referring to formal conduct in general ('a matter of protocol'). The meaning usually makes clear which sense is intended.