patrician

noun

pa·​tri·​cian pə-ˈtri-shən 

plural patricians

1

: a member of one of the original citizen families of ancient Rome

2

a

: a person of high birth : aristocrat

b

: a person of breeding and cultivation

… a tall patrician … who looked as if she was accustomed to serving on boards and making important decisions.

—James A. Michener

Did you know?

A patrician was originally a descendant of one of the original citizen families of ancient Rome. Until about 350 B.C., only patricians could hold the office of senator, consul, or pontifex (priest). Later, the word was applied to members of the nobility created by the Roman emperor Constantine. As time went by, other nobles, such as those in medieval Italian republics and in German city-states, also came to be known as patricians. Today someone's appearance, manners, or tastes can be described as patrician, whether the person is actually of high birth or not. The actress Grace Kelly, an immigrant's daughter, was admired for her patrician beauty even before she became Princess Grace of Monaco, with classic features worthy of ancient Rome's finest sculptors.

Synonyms of patrician

• aristocrat
• noble

Examples of patrician in a Sentence

the Southern patricians who once resided in these stately plantation homes

Recent Examples on the Web

Because this is the most dazzling, patrician and talked-about hotel to have opened in London this century—with great bones, spirit, heritage, and style; not to mention sybaritic restaurants, bars, and wellness spaces. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Apr. 2026

As an industrious and self-reliant senior, Ringwald essentially baby-sits her chronically myopic father (Harry Dean Stanton), sews her own clothes and contends with the condescension of her patrician peers. —Duane Byrge, HollywoodReporter, 31 Mar. 2026

The show follows Wiig’s wannabe patrician Maxine Dellacorte-Simmons, who is hell-bent on becoming the belle of 1960’s Palm Beach by elbowing her way into the upper echelons of Florida’s most exclusive beach club, the Palm Royale. —Jack Dunn, Variety, 3 Mar. 2026

Editorials dissected how to achieve the brand’s traditional, patrician look, while TikTok and Instagram filled with home décor hauls inspired by the label’s timeless Americana. —Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 9 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English patricion, from Anglo-French patrician, from Latin patricius, from patres senators, from plural of pater father — more at father

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for patrician

• addition
• admission
• ambition
• attrition
• audition
• clinician
• cognition
• coition
• commission
• condition
• contrition
• dentition

Kids Definition

patrician

noun

pa·​tri·​cian pə-ˈtrish-ən 

1

: a member of one of the original citizen families of ancient Rome

2

: a person of high birth or position : aristocrat

patrician adjective