protest

noun: /ˈprəʊtest/; verb: /prəˈtest/

noun

  1. A public expression of strong disagreement, often involving a group of people gathering or marching.

    B1

    countable or uncountable

    • "Thousands of people joined the protest."B1
    • "The protest against the new law continued for several days."B2

  2. A statement or action showing that you disagree with something or object to it.

    B2

    countable or uncountable

    • "The workers made a protest about their pay."B1
    • "She lodged a formal protest against the decision."C1
    • "She signed the petition as a form of protest."A2

verb

  1. To publicly show or express strong disagreement with something.

    B1

    intransitive or transitive; protest against/about something; protest something

    • "Students protested against the new rules."B1
    • "Local residents are protesting over plans to build a highway."B2

  2. To say firmly that something is not true or that you did not do something.

    B2

    transitive; protest that; protest one's innocence

    • "He protested that he was innocent."B2
    • "Despite the evidence, she continued to protest her innocence."C1

Common mistakes

  • protest against to the law→protest against the law

    Use either “protest against something” or “protest about something”; do not use “against to.”

Collocations

peaceful protestmass protestpublic protestprotest marchprotest againstprotest about

Word family

protesterprotestorprotestingprotestation