Entry 1 sense Webster, 1913 Protectionism /prət-ĕk'-shən-ĭzˌ-əm/ · Pro·tec·tion·ism · IPA /pɹəˈtɛk.ʃə.nɪ.zəm/ 01 n. The doctrine or policy of protectionists. See Protection, 4. 1. The doctrine or policy of protectionists. See Protection, 4.(Polit. Econ.) See: Protection