patronage

noun

pa·​tron·​age ˈpa-trə-nij  ˈpā- 

1

: advowson

2

: the support or influence of a patron

the patronage of science by universities

3

: kindness done with an air of superiority

The prince deigned to bestow his patronage on the composer.

4

: 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

oust his enemies from office and use the patronage to support his policies

—H. K. Beale

b

: the distribution of jobs on the basis of patronage

The governor filled the vacated positions through patronage.

c

: jobs distributed by patronage

the government's vast network of patronage

Synonyms

• sponsorship

Examples of patronage in a Sentence

The college relied on the patronage of its wealthy graduates to expand its funds.

They thanked her for her patronage of the new hospital.

The city should do more to encourage patronage of local businesses.

a system of political patronage

Recent Examples on the Web

The Attorney General’s office would now have to make the move to regulate card rooms, which an impact assessment commissioned by the office estimates would reduce patronage by about 50 percent, and have ripple effects on jobs and city tax revenue. —Kate Wolffe october 23, Sacbee.com, 23 Oct. 2025

Andrew had already stepped back from his frontline duties in 2019 and was stripped of his military titles and charity patronages by the late Queen in 2022. —Lauren Said-Moorhouse, CNN Money, 22 Oct. 2025

Fergie has also supported Prince Andrew amid the exposure of his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, which led to him stepping back from his public royal role in 2019 and being stripped of his military affiliations and patronages in 2022. —Stephanie Petit, PEOPLE, 21 Oct. 2025

That same year, after Giuffre's lawsuit, Andrew was stripped of his military links and royal patronages. —Brendan Morrow, USA Today, 19 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

patronage

noun

pa·​tron·​age ˈpa-trə-nij  ˈpā- 

1

: the support or influence of a patron

2

: business or activity provided by patrons

3

: the power to give out government jobs, contracts, or favors