World War II | Facts, Summary, History, Dates, Combatants, & Causes
World War II began in Europe on September 1, 1939, when Germany invaded Poland. Great Britain and France responded by declaring war on Germany ...
protocol
By the early part of 1939 the German dictator Adolf Hitler had become determined to invade and occupy Poland. Poland, for its part, had guarantees of French and British military support should it be attacked by Germany. Hitler intended to invade Poland anyway, but first he had to neutralize the possibility that the Soviet Union would resist the invasion of its western neighbour. Secret negotiations led on August 23–24 to the signing of the German-Soviet Nonaggression Pact in Moscow. In a secret <anchor>protocol</anchor> of this pact, the Germans and the Soviets agreed that Poland should be divided between them, with the western third of the country going to Germany and the eastern two-thirds being taken over by the U.S.S.R.
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# protocol

## [noun](/dictionary/noun)

pro·​to·​col[ˈprō-tə-ˌkȯl ![How to pronounce protocol (audio)](/dist-cross-dungarees/2024-09-12--20-35-33-m58bx/images/svg/audio-pron-redesign.svg)](/dictionary/protocol?pronunciation&lang=en_us&dir=p&file=protoc01 "How to pronounce protocol (audio)")
-ˌkōl,

-ˌkäl,

-kəl

[Synonyms of _protocol_![next](/dist-cross-dungarees/2024-09-12--20-35-33-m58bx/images/arrows/interlink-right.svg)](/thesaurus/protocol)

1

**:** an original draft, minute, or record of a document or transaction

2

a

**:** a preliminary memorandum often formulated and signed by [diplomatic](/dictionary/diplomatic) negotiators as a basis for a final convention or treaty

b

**:** the records or minutes of a diplomatic conference or congress that show officially the agreements arrived at by the negotiators

3

a

**:** a code prescribing strict adherence to correct [etiquette](/dictionary/etiquette) and [precedence](/dictionary/precedence) (as in diplomatic exchange and in the military services)
a breach of protocol

b

**:** a set of conventions governing the treatment and especially the formatting of data in an electronic communications system
network protocols

c

**:** [conventionsense 3a,b](/dictionary/convention)

4

**:** a detailed plan of a scientific or medical experiment, treatment, or procedure

![](/dist-cross-dungarees/2024-09-12--20-35-33-m58bx/images/svg/redesign/lightbulb-icon.svg)

## Did you know?

Protocol and Politics

In Late Greek, the word _prōtokollon_ referred to the first sheet of a [papyrus](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/papyrus) roll bearing the date of its manufacture. In some instances, it consisted of a [flyleaf](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/flyleaf) that was glued to the outside of a manuscript's case and provided a description of its contents. Coming from the Greek prefix _prōto_\- ("first") and the noun _kolla_ ("glue"), _prōtokollon_ gave us our word _protocol_. In its earliest uses in the 15th century, the word referred to a prologue or preface and also to a record of a document or transaction. In the late 19th century, it began to be used in reference to the etiquette observed by the Head of State of France in ceremonies and relations with other dignitaries. This sense has since extended in meaning to cover any code of proper conduct.

## Examples of _protocol_ in a Sentence

Typically, those who make pronouncements like this assume (without saying so) that the tongues making up the multitude will belong to persons who are committed to the protocols of rational inquiry; frivolous persons, persons who exploit those protocols or play with them to gain political ends, are not imagined.—![](/dist-cross-dungarees/2024-09-12--20-35-33-m58bx/images/svg/redesign/vi-mdash.svg)Stanley Fish, _Harper's_, December 2005

Purcell even flouted the timeless protocol of pretending to admire the work of his fellow editors.—![](/dist-cross-dungarees/2024-09-12--20-35-33-m58bx/images/svg/redesign/vi-mdash.svg)Tobias Wolff, _Old School_, 2003

Today, thanks to the civil-rights movement, white guilt is propriety—an utterly invisible code that defines decency in our culture with thousands of little protocols we no longer even think about.—![](/dist-cross-dungarees/2024-09-12--20-35-33-m58bx/images/svg/redesign/vi-mdash.svg)Shelby Steele, _Harper's_, November 2002


The soldier's actions constitute a breach of military _protocol_.

They did not follow the proper diplomatic _protocols_.

What is the proper _protocol_ for declining a job offer?

the Geneva _Protocol_ of 1925 See More

Recent Examples on the WebOn the other hand, public blockchains are built for interoperability, enabling seamless exchanges between diverse projects and _protocols_, which fosters a dynamic marketplace where assets can be traded freely.—![](/dist-cross-dungarees/2024-09-12--20-35-33-m58bx/images/svg/redesign/vi-mdash.svg)Sean Lee, _Forbes_, 8 Sep. 2024 Thread Sews Your Smart Home Together The latest version of the wireless _protocol_ Thread has been officially released at IFA and is open for certification.—![](/dist-cross-dungarees/2024-09-12--20-35-33-m58bx/images/svg/redesign/vi-mdash.svg)Simon Hill, _WIRED_, 6 Sep. 2024 The office, along with the University of California, is reviewing the safety _protocols_ and police response to the spring protests.—![](/dist-cross-dungarees/2024-09-12--20-35-33-m58bx/images/svg/redesign/vi-mdash.svg)Teresa Watanabe, _Los Angeles Times_, 5 Sep. 2024 This can be a fun and engaging way for your child to act-out the _protocols_ before heading to the airport.—![](/dist-cross-dungarees/2024-09-12--20-35-33-m58bx/images/svg/redesign/vi-mdash.svg)Noah Kaufman, _Condé Nast Traveler_, 5 Sep. 2024 [See all Example Sentences for _protocol_![](/dist-cross-dungarees/2024-09-12--20-35-33-m58bx/images/svg/redesign/arrow-right-exemplar.svg)![](/dist-cross-dungarees/2024-09-12--20-35-33-m58bx/images/svg/redesign/arrow-right-exemplar-hover.svg)](/sentences/protocol)

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'protocol.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. [Send us feedback](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1GAQr3Kn1cURCVHUA82hAga1Wv8DCH0IuqDLRUrOpN7M/viewform?ts=63f4f653&entry.1515682415=https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary%2Fprotocol) about these examples.


## Word History

Etymology

Middle French _prothocole_, from Medieval Latin _protocollum_, from Late Greek _prōtokollon_ first sheet of a papyrus roll bearing date of manufacture, from Greek _prōt-_ prot- + _kollan_ to glue together, from _kolla_ glue; perhaps akin to Middle Dutch _helen_ to glue

First Known Use

1541, in the meaning defined at [sense 1](#h1)

Time Traveler

The first known use of _protocol_ was
in 1541

[See more words from the same year](/time-traveler/1541?src=defrecirc-timetraveler-etycard)

## Phrases Containing _protocol_

- [hypertext transfer protocol](/dictionary/hypertext%20transfer%20protocol)

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## Dictionary Entries Near _protocol_

[Protococcus](/dictionary/Protococcus)

protocol

[protocolar](/dictionary/protocolar)

[See More Nearby Entries ![](/dist-cross-dungarees/2024-09-12--20-35-33-m58bx/images/svg/redesign/arrow-right-blue.svg)](/browse/dictionary/p/87)

## Cite this Entry

Style

MLAChicagoAPAMerriam-Webster

“Protocol.” _Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary_, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/protocol. Accessed 13 Sep. 2024.

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## Kids Definition

protocol

noun

pro·​to·​col[ˈprōt-ə-ˌkȯl ![How to pronounce protocol (audio)](/dist-cross-dungarees/2024-09-12--20-35-33-m58bx/images/svg/audio-pron-redesign.svg)](/dictionary/protocol?pronunciation&lang=en_us&dir=p&file=protoc01 "How to pronounce protocol (audio)")

1

**:** an original copy or record of a document

2

**:** a code of diplomatic or military rules of behavior

3

**:** a set of rules for the formatting of data in an electronic communications system
network _protocols_

## Medical Definition

protocol

noun

pro·​to·​col[ˈprōt-ə-ˌkȯl, -ˌkōl, -ˌkäl ![How to pronounce protocol (audio)](/dist-cross-dungarees/2024-09-12--20-35-33-m58bx/images/svg/audio-pron-redesign.svg)](/dictionary/protocol?pronunciation&lang=en_us&dir=p&file=protoc01 "How to pronounce protocol (audio)")

1

**:** an official account of a proceeding

especially**:** the notes or records relating to a case, an experiment, or an autopsy

2

**:** a detailed plan of a scientific or medical experiment, treatment, or procedure
cryotherapy was performed in approximately half of the eyes through a randomization protocol—![](/dist-cross-dungarees/2024-09-12--20-35-33-m58bx/images/svg/redesign/vi-mdash.svg) _The Journal of the American Medical Association_

## Legal Definition

protocol

noun

pro·​to·​col[ˈprō-tə-ˌkȯl ![How to pronounce protocol (audio)](/dist-cross-dungarees/2024-09-12--20-35-33-m58bx/images/svg/audio-pron-redesign.svg)](/dictionary/protocol?pronunciation&lang=en_us&dir=p&file=protoc01 "How to pronounce protocol (audio)")

1

**:** an original draft, minute, or record of a document or transaction

2

a

**:** a preliminary memorandum often formulated and signed by diplomatic negotiators as a basis for a final convention or treaty

b

**:** the records or minutes of a diplomatic conference or congress that show officially the agreements arrived at by the negotiators

## More from Merriam-Webster on _protocol_

Thesaurus: [All synonyms and antonyms for _protocol_](/thesaurus/protocol)

Nglish: [Translation of _protocol_ for Spanish Speakers](http://www.nglish.com/spanish/protocol)

Britannica English: [Translation of _protocol_ for Arabic Speakers](http://arabic.britannicaenglish.com/protocol)

Britannica.com: [Encyclopedia article about _protocol_](https://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/480258/protocol)

Last Updated:12 Sep 2024 \- Updated example sentences

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