patron saint

noun

1

: a saint to whose protection and intercession a person, a society, a church, or a place is dedicated

2

: an original leader or prime exemplar

Synonyms of patron saint

• model
• idea
• example
• incarnation
• ideal

Examples of patron saint in a Sentence

St. David is the patron saint of Wales.

St. Christopher is the patron saint of travelers.

The success of her books has made her the patron saint of a new literary movement.

Recent Examples on the Web

Rita then prayed to her patron saints — John the Baptist, Augustine of Hippo, and Nicholas of Tolentino — while setting out to establish peace between the families involved in her husband's murder. — Adam Harrington, CBS News, 6 Oct. 2026

Some Catholics interpreted that as meaning that the presidential candidate would remove Our Lady of Aparecida as Brazil’s patron saint. — ABC News, 4 Oct. 2026

Cruise has a lot going for him in the Oscar race as an A-list movie star, a charismatic person, and the patron saint of theatrical moviegoing. — Rebecca Ford, Vanity Fair, 2 Oct. 2026

Talarico was in Austin, attending the annual barbecue and concert of Texas patron saint Willie Nelson. — Philip Elliott, Time, 30 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1703, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for patron saint

• acquaint
• complaint
• constraint
• distraint
• repaint
• restraint
• faint
• feint
• maint
• paint
• plaint
• quaint

Kids Definition

patron saint

noun

: a saint to whom a person, society, church, or place is dedicated