Which is a primary meaning of 'protocol'?

• A. the rules and regulations governing certain situations
• B. a record of a transaction
• C. a formal diplomatic agreement between two or more countries
• D. a standard operating procedure

Answer: (C)

In diplomacy, protocol refers to a formal agreement between states that lays out specific obligations, procedures, and ways of conducting official relations. This sense treats protocol as a binding arrangement negotiated by countries, often appended to or shaping a larger treaty framework. That makes it the best match for a primary meaning in international contexts: a formal diplomatic agreement between two or more countries. While protocol can also mean etiquette or procedural guidelines in other settings, its core, defining use in international affairs is the formal agreement aspect.