What does "protocol" mean?
The minutes, or official record, of a negotiation or transaction; especially a document drawn up officially which forms the legal basis for subsequent agreements based on it.
Protocol
/ˈpɹəʊtəˌkɒl/ noun, verb
noun, verb ·Common ·Middle school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: The minutes, or official record, of a negotiation or transaction; especially a document drawn up officially which forms the legal basis for subsequent agreements based on it.
- Grammar: protocol is listed as noun, verb.
- Nearest alternatives: a procedure, academic technique, accepted rule, accord.
- Useful contrasts: chaos, disorder, informality.
- Usage evidence: It should be noted that Dole did not intend to change the configuration of the communication protocol.
How to use "protocol"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "protocol" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
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- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "protocol" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "protocol" as the right word for your sentence.
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Compare nearby meanings
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Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "protocol" is acting as noun, verb in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
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3. Confirm with context
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Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "protocol", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 The minutes, or official record, of a negotiation or transaction; especially a document drawn up officially which forms the legal basis for subsequent agreements based on it. countable, historical, uncountable
"Another account says that, on the morning of the 31st of May, the king delivered to the prince-royal the crown, the sceptre, and the key of his treasure and gave him his blessing. The privy-counsillor Vockerodt drew up at his desire a protocol of the transaction."
- 2 code of correct conduct wordnet
- 3 An official record of a diplomatic meeting or negotiation; later specifically, a draft document setting out agreements to be signed into force by a subsequent formal treaty. archaic, countable, uncountable
"The terms of this protocol formed the basis for the Treaty of London signed by the British, French and Russian governments on 6 July 1827."
- 4 forms of ceremony and etiquette observed by diplomats and heads of state wordnet
- 5 An amendment to an official treaty. countable, uncountable
"The 1992 Protocol amended the definitions of other terms, including ‘ship’, ‘oil’ and ‘incident’: Art. 2."
Show 11 more definitions
- 6 (computer science) rules determining the format and transmission of data wordnet
- 7 The first leaf of a roll of papyrus, or the official mark typically found on such a page. countable, uncountable
"They marked the beginning of each scroll with their protocol, a practice that continued in the papyrus trade in the Byzantine Empire [...] into the Islamic period, when there were bilingual protocols in Greek and Arabic."
- 8 The official formulas which appeared at the beginning or end of certain official documents such as charters, papal bulls etc. countable, uncountable
"The protocol of the bull contains elements that appear to be formulaic by the time of John XVIII 's pontificate."
- 9 The original notes of observations made during an experiment. countable, uncountable
"The following is an abstract of the protocol of the experiment: Tumour extract.—A measured 16 c.c. of minced Rous Sarcoma tissue was ground with sand and extracted with 400 c.c. of 0.8-per-cent. saline."
- 10 The precise method for carrying out or reproducing a given experiment. countable, uncountable
- 11 The official rules and guidelines for heads of state and other dignitaries, governing accepted behaviour in relations with other diplomatic representatives or over affairs of state. countable, uncountable
"Even the Queen (for whom the curtsey is a more standard address) was recently treated to an enthusiastic Obama embrace. Her Majesty, who is not normally known for partaking in such public displays of affection, seemed unperturbed by Michelle Obama's disregard for royal protocol."
- 12 An accepted code of conduct; acceptable behaviour in a given situation or group. broadly, countable, uncountable
"For those uncertain in the protocol of handshaking a formula for the perfect handshake has been devised by scientists at the University of Manchester."
- 13 A set of formal rules describing how to transmit or exchange data, especially across a network. countable, uncountable
"Moloch passed the message to the Behemoth / Whose master passed it on to Zebedee / It was sent by Internet, by obscure protocols / To its recipient, the delicious Miss Gee"
- 14 The set of instructions allowing a licensed medical professional to start, modify, or stop a medical or patient care order. countable, uncountable
- 15 The introduction of a liturgical preface, immediately following the Sursum corda dialogue. countable, uncountable
"This protocol of the Preface has been constant, with minor modification, from the Apostolic Tradition, of Hippolytus in 215 A.D., the earliest extant text of the Eucharistic Prayer, to the present 2002 Missale Romanum."
- 16 In some programming languages, a data type declaring a set of members that must be implemented by a class or other data type. countable, uncountable
Verb
- 1 To make a protocol of. obsolete, transitive
- 2 To make or write protocols, or first drafts; to issue protocols. intransitive, obsolete
"Serene Highnesses, who sit there protocolling and manifestoing, and consoling mankind!"
Synonyms
All synonymsAntonyms
Example
"It should be noted that Dole did not intend to change the configuration of the communication protocol."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "protocol"?
Common synonyms include: a procedure, academic technique, accepted rule, accord, action rule, adjective of process.
How do you use "protocol" in a sentence?
It should be noted that Dole did not intend to change the configuration of the communication protocol.
How do you pronounce "protocol"?
Pronounced /ˈpɹəʊtəˌkɒl/.
Etymology
Borrowed from Middle French protocolle, protocole (“document, record”), from Late Latin protocollum (“the first sheet of a volume (on which contents and errata were written)”), from Byzantine Greek πρωτόκολλον (prōtókollon, “first sheet glued onto a manuscript”), from πρῶτος (prôtos, “first”) + κόλλα (kólla, “glue”). Doublet of collage, collagen, and colloid.