Protect (verb)

1. Keep safe from harm or injury.
2. Defend or guard from attack or harm.
3. Prevent or try to prevent (something) from being damaged or destroyed.

Origin:

Late middle english: from latin protect- "covered, guarded", from the verb protegere, from pro- "in front" + tegere "to cover".

Examples:

1. The company has to protect its trade secrets.
2. The government has to protect its citizens from terrorism.
3. The law is designed to protect the rights of the individual.
4. She tried to protect her child from the sun.
5. The walls were built to protect the city from invaders.