What does Protocol mean?

Definitions for Protocol
ˈproʊ təˌkɔl, -ˌkɒl, -ˌkoʊlpro·to·col

This dictionary definitions page includes all the possible meanings, example usage and translations of the word Protocol.

Princeton's WordNet

  1. protocol, communications protocolnoun

    (computer science) rules determining the format and transmission of data

  2. protocolnoun

    forms of ceremony and etiquette observed by diplomats and heads of state

  3. protocolnoun

    code of correct conduct

    "safety protocols"; "academic protocol"

Wiktionary

  1. protocolnoun

    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.

  2. protocolnoun

    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.

  3. protocolnoun

    An amendment to an official treaty.

  4. protocolnoun

    The first leaf of a roll of papyrus, or the official mark typically found on such a page.

  5. protocolnoun

    The official formulas which appeared at the beginning or end of certain official documents such as charters, papal bulls etc.

  6. protocolnoun

    The original notes of observations made during an experiment; also, the precise method for carrying our or reproducing a given experiment.

  7. protocolnoun

    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.

  8. protocolnoun

    An accepted code of conduct; acceptable behaviour in a given situation or group.

  9. protocolnoun

    A set of formal rules describing how to transmit or exchange data, especially across a network.

  10. protocolverb

    To make a protocol of.

  11. protocolnoun

    The set of instructions allowing a licensed medical professional to start, modify, or stop a medical or patient care order.

  12. Etymology: From protocolle, protocole, and its source, protocollum, from πρωτόκολλον, from πρῶτος + κόλλα.

Samuel Johnson's Dictionary

  1. Protocolnoun

    The original copy of any writing.

    Etymology: protokol, Dutch; protocole, Fr. πϱωτοϰολλον, from πϱῶτος and ϰολλὴ.

    An original is stiled the protocol, or scriptura matrix; and if the protocol, which is the root and foundation of the instrument, does not appear, the instrument is not valid. John Ayliffe.

ChatGPT

  1. protocol

    A protocol is a predefined set of rules, procedures, or conventions that govern the interactions, exchange or transmission of data between devices, computer systems, or communication entities. These guidelines can include syntax, semantics, synchronization, and error detection and correction. It ensures that information transmitted over a network is understood and processed effectively.

Webster Dictionary

  1. Protocolnoun

    the original copy of any writing, as of a deed, treaty, dispatch, or other instrument

  2. Protocolnoun

    the minutes, or rough draught, of an instrument or transaction

  3. Protocolnoun

    a preliminary document upon the basis of which negotiations are carried on

  4. Protocolnoun

    a convention not formally ratified

  5. Protocolnoun

    an agreement of diplomatists indicating the results reached by them at a particular stage of a negotiation

  6. Protocolverb

    to make a protocol of

  7. Protocolverb

    to make or write protocols, or first draughts; to issue protocols

  8. Etymology: [F. protocole, LL. protocollum, fr. Gr. the first leaf glued to the rolls of papyrus and the notarial documents, on which the date was written; prw^tos the first (see Proto-) + glue.]

Chambers 20th Century Dictionary

  1. Protocol

    prō′tō-kol, n. the first copy of any document: the rough draft of an instrument or transaction: the original copy.—v.i. to issue, form protocols.—v.t. to make a protocol of—also Prō′tocolīse.—n. Prō′tocolist, a registrar or clerk. [Fr.,—Low L. protocollum—Late Gr. prōtokollon, the first leaf, containing the writer's name, date, &c.—Gr. prōtos, first, kolla, glue.]

The New Hacker's Dictionary

  1. protocol

    As used by hackers, this never refers to niceties about the proper form for addressing letters to the Papal Nuncio or the order in which one should use the forks in a Russian-style place setting; hackers don't care about such things. It is used instead to describe any set of rules that allow different machines or pieces of software to coordinate with each other without ambiguity. So, for example, it does include niceties about the proper form for addressing packets on a network or the order in which one should use the forks in the Dining Philosophers Problem. It implies that there is some common message format and an accepted set of primitives or commands that all parties involved understand, and that transactions among them follow predictable logical sequences. See also handshaking, do protocol.

Editors Contribution

  1. protocol

    A code of conduct for a member of every form of unity assembly, unity council, unity legislature, unity senate, unity house of representatives, unity parliament, unity government, local unity government, regional unity government, national unity government, european unity government and international unity government.

    Specific protocols sometimes form a facet of peace agreements or peace treaties.


    Submitted by MaryC on April 4, 2020  


  2. protocol

    A set of instructions for the creation, function, structure and systems of computers, internet, networks, servers, routers, applications, software, devices and other forms of telecommunications structures and systems.

    The Internet Protocol is easy to understand and apply.


    Submitted by MaryC on February 11, 2020  

British National Corpus

  1. Nouns Frequency

    Rank popularity for the word 'Protocol' in Nouns Frequency: #2425

Usage in printed sourcesFrom: 

How to pronounce Protocol?

How to say Protocol in sign language?

Numerology

  1. Chaldean Numerology

    The numerical value of Protocol in Chaldean Numerology is: 5

  2. Pythagorean Numerology

    The numerical value of Protocol in Pythagorean Numerology is: 6

Examples of Protocol in a Sentence

  1. Roger Kay:

    Internet protocol was designed to be highly robust and decentralized, there are a few big ‘trunks,’ huge fiber-optic cables that run undersea and carry much of the traffic from, say, the U.S. to Japan, but there are multiples of most of those and other routes, like satellite, even if they all go out.

  2. Matt Hancock:

    There is a clear protocol in place that Amazon has and that we have in the NHS.

  3. Anand Shah:

    Per policy, we are not able to comment on whether or not we will take any action regarding emergency use authorization for convalescent plasma and will render a decision at the appropriate time, of note, the safe use of convalescent plasma remains available to patients through several pathways, including clinical trials, a national expanded access protocol, or through a single patient emergency investigational new drug request.

  4. Ted Cruz:

    The Russian troops on the Ukrainian border are Joe Biden’s fault, and they are Senate Democrats’ fault for being unwilling to stand up to a president of their own party, and I would note, this particular nominee is a nominee to be the head of protocol at the State Department. It is really bad protocol to drive tanks into somebody else’s country. You want to talk about protocol? How about the protocol of let’s defend American national security interest?

  5. Mike Cheokas:

    She had to take a certain protocol and fail that before taking the more effective drugs, this bill will save lives. It cuts through the red tape.

Popularity rank by frequency of use

Protocol#1#2547#10000

Translations for Protocol

From our Multilingual Translation Dictionary

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"Protocol." Definitions.net. STANDS4 LLC, 2025. Web. 21 Jan. 2025. <https://www.definitions.net/definition/Protocol>.

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