protocol

Everyday

1. The official rules of correct behaviour on formal occasions, for example when meeting a king or a president: «royal protocol». tree →
2. A set of steps that must be followed in a certain situation, like a plan for safety or medicine: «the school's fire protocol». tree →
3. (computers) A set of rules computers use to send and receive information: «Internet protocol». tree →
4. (law) An extra agreement added to a treaty between countries. tree →

In the lessons

In computing lessons protocols (like HTTP and IP) let computers talk; in science and safety a protocol is the exact method to follow; in history and news it is formal manners. Phrases: «follow protocol», «break protocol», «safety protocol», «internet protocol».

Examples

• The doctors followed the protocol for treating burns. tree →
• Our school has a protocol for when someone has an allergic reaction. tree →
• The prince broke protocol by hugging the crowd. tree →
• Web pages travel using the HTTP protocol. tree →
• Under royal protocol, you wait for the queen to speak first. tree →
• The science protocol says to wear goggles during the experiment. tree →

Note

Countable for a set of steps (protocols); uncountable for formal manners. IP stands for Internet Protocol; HTTP for HyperText Transfer Protocol. Stress: PRO-to-col.