the expression of strong disagreement with or opposition to something; a statement or an action that shows this The director resigned in protest at the decision. The announcement raised a storm of protest. a protest march She accepted the charge without protest. protest (against something) The workers staged a protest against the proposed changes in their contracts. The building work will go ahead, despite protests from local residents. The riot began as a peaceful protest.
Idioms unwillingly and after expressing disagreement She wrote a letter of apology but only under protest. See protest in the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary