Main Entry:

pa·tron·age

Pronunciation:

\ˈpa-trə-nij, ˈpā-\

Function:

noun

Date:

14th century

1: advowson2: the support or influence of a patron3: kindness done with an air of superiority4: business or activity provided by patrons <the new branch library is expected to have a heavy patronage>5 a: the power to make appointments to government jobs especially for political advantage b: the distribution of jobs on the basis of patronage c: jobs distributed by patronage