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 of patronage

• 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 event is held under the patronage of RAI Fiction and in media partnership with state broadcaster RAI, which has recognized Italian Global Series as an event of national importance. —Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 22 May 2026

The constitution was out of balance, and the executive—at this time still the King—was accumulating powers and patronage at the expense of Parliament. —Danielle Allen, The Atlantic, 21 May 2026

The railroad did not acknowledge that their policy, not the lack of Black hunger, contributed to the low rate of Black patronage. —Literary Hub, 11 May 2026

The switch from French to Russian patronage came after coups in Mali in 2020 and 2021, followed by two in Burkina Faso in 2022, then one in Niger in 2023. —Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 10 May 2026

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