Protocol (noun)

1. A set of rules and procedures for a particular activity or system.
2. The official procedure or system of rules governing affairs of state or diplomatic occasions.
3. A set of standards for transmitting data between devices or over a network.

Origin:

From french protocole, from latin protocollum, from greek πρωτόκολλον (protokollon, "first glue") (it was originally a summary of the proceedings of a meeting, glued to the front of the document book, hence the name), from πρῶτος (prōtos, "first") + κόλλα (kolla, "glue").

Examples:

1. The protocol for the experiment was followed strictly.
2. The protocol for a diplomatic visit must be followed.
3. The company's protocol for data security is very strict.
4. The internet protocol (IP) is a set of rules that govern the way data is transmitted over the internet.
5. The company"s new protocol for customer service improved the customer"s experience.