protocol
PROH-tuh-kol
/ˈprəʊtəkɒl/
The official system of rules governing affairs of state or diplomatic occasions.
Protocol is the 'how-to' guide for formal interactions—who sits where, who speaks first, etc.
The story behind the word. From the Greek 'protokollon,' which was the first sheet glued onto a manuscript scroll, often containing the table of contents or the date. It evolved from a 'summary' to a 'set of rules.'
Word relationships
- etiquette: Etiquette is for social behavior; protocol is for official or state behavior.
- informality: Informality is the absence of strict rules or procedures.
Commonly confused with
- procedure: Procedure is a way of doing something; protocol is the set of rules for doing it correctly in a formal setting.
Word family
- protocolary (adjective): Relating to protocol.
Collocations
- diplomatic protocol
- follow protocol
- breach of protocol
Example sentences
- "It was a serious breach of protocol for the junior minister to speak before the Prime Minister." A breach of formal rules.
- "The laboratory followed a strict protocol to ensure the safety of the researchers." Scientific or technical procedures.
Memory hook
Protocol is the 'pro' (first) thing you 'toll' (tell) people to do. The first sheet of rules.
When not to use
Don't use it for casual social rules (like 'table manners') unless you are being humorous.
Fun facts
- In computer science, a protocol is a set of rules that allows different computers to talk to each other.
Related words
Also appears in
- Relationships → Social Etiquette & Manners
- Business → Workplace Hazards & Safety
- Technology → Digital Communication
- Law → International Law & Treaties
- Travel & Culture → Cultural Taboos & Etiquette
- Political Science & Governance → Public Administration & Bureaucracy
- Environmental Policy & Sustainability Economics → Climate Policy & International Agreements
- Environmental Policy & Sustainability Economics → International Environmental Accords
- Political Science & Governance → Diplomacy & Foreign Policy
- Sociology & Social Anthropology → Division of Labor & Bureaucracy
- Devices & Everyday Tech → E-mail Etiquette
- Emergency Services & Public Safety → 911 Dispatch & Emergency Communications
- Aviation & Maritime Transport → Aviation Safety & Investigations
- Devices & Everyday Tech → Smart Home & IoT Devices
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