What part of speech is the word protected?

The word "protected" can be several parts of speech, depending on its use in a sentence:

* Verb (past participle): This is the most common use. Example: "The animals were protected by the fence."

* Adjective: This form describes something that is safe or shielded. Example: "The protected area is home to rare wildlife."

Let me know if you have a specific sentence in mind, and I can help you determine the part of speech more accurately!