Protest

/ˈprəʊtest/

verbBeginnerVery CommonGeneral

Definitions

2 meanings
1

To express an objection or disapproval, often publicly and formally.

/prəˈtest/

verbneutralBeginner
General

To express disapproval or objection.

The workers protested the unfair working conditions.

💡 Simply: Think of it like this: When you *protest*, you're like shouting 'Hey, I don't like this!' or 'I disagree!' about something. Like when a kid protests eating broccoli. They're showing they don't like it!

👶 For kids: To say you don't like something or disagree with something.

More Examples

2

She decided to protest the new law by joining the march.

3

The students protested against the school's dress code.

How It's Used

Politics

"Citizens often protest government policies they disagree with."

Social Justice

"Activists protested against racial injustice."

2

A statement or action expressing disapproval of or objection to something.

/ˈprəʊtest/

nounneutralBeginner
General

A statement or action expressing disapproval.

The environmental group organized a protest against the logging of the forest.

💡 Simply: A *protest* is when people show they're unhappy about something. It can be a march, a sign, or a group of people saying 'We don't like this!' Like when the team protests a bad call in the game!

👶 For kids: A time when people show that they don't like something.

More Examples

2

The company faced a public protest over its environmental practices.

3

The protest started peacefully but later turned violent.

How It's Used

Politics

"The protest against the new tax law drew thousands of participants."

Social Events

"There was a protest outside the concert venue."

Tip:Think of a sign held up in a march.

Idioms & expressions

protest vote

A vote cast to express dissatisfaction with the available candidates or parties, rather than support for a specific one.

"Many people cast a protest vote in the last election, expressing their disillusionment with the two main parties."

From Latin *protestari* ('to declare publicly'), from *pro-* ('before, forth') + *testari* ('to bear witness'). The word has existed in English since the 14th century.

Used in legal contexts to formally challenge something. Evolved to describe public expressions of dissent.

Memory tip

Imagine you're raising your hand to object in a meeting.

protistprotesttprotestes

Usage

40%Spoken
60%Written