noun
Common
protocol
PROH-tuh-kol
Protocol (noun) means the official rules of correct conduct in formal or diplomatic situations. Example: “Protocol requires guests to wait until the host has sat down.”
noun
1
The official rules of correct conduct in formal or diplomatic situations.
"Protocol requires guests to wait until the host has sat down."
"The visiting delegation was briefed on the correct protocol for meeting the royal family."
"Breaking with protocol, the ambassador spoke without notes."
2
A set of rules governing how data is exchanged, especially over a computer network.
"Email uses a different protocol from the one that loads web pages."
"The devices communicate using a secure protocol."
"HTTP is the protocol web browsers use to load pages."
3
A formal plan for how an experiment, treatment, or procedure should be carried out.
"The trial followed a strict protocol so every patient received the same care."
"Researchers wrote a detailed protocol before starting the laboratory experiment."
"Doctors followed the hospital's emergency protocol."
How to use protocol
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA set of official rules or an agreed procedure — used for diplomacy, computer networks, science, and medicine alike.
Common pairings
follow protocol
network protocol
safety protocol
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Word forms
- Plural
- protocols
- Third person singular
- protocols
- Past tense
- protocoled, protocolled
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
_____ requires guests to wait until the host has sat down.
Etymology
From Byzantine Greek prōtókollon, "first sheet glued to a manuscript," from prôtos ("first") plus kólla ("glue") — originally the cover page of an official document.
Synonyms
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Frequently asked questions
What does “protocol” mean?
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.
How do you pronounce “protocol”?
“Protocol” is pronounced PROH-tuh-kol (/ˈpɹoʊtəˌkɑl/ in IPA).
How do you use “protocol” in a sentence?
Here is “protocol” used in a sentence: “Breaking with protocol, the ambassador spoke without notes.”
What part of speech is “protocol”?
“Protocol” is a noun.
Where does the word “protocol” come from?
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.
Is “protocol” a common word?
“Protocol” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “protocol” have?
“Protocol” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the official rules of correct conduct in formal or diplomatic situations.
What is the difference between protocol and etiquette?
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.
What is the difference between a protocol and a procedure?
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.
Is 'protocol' countable or uncountable?
'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.
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