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

Almost every small chapel on the island has its own patron saint, and every saint's feast day is celebrated with a panigiri, a traditional village festival. — Chadner Navarro, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Sep. 2026

Columnist Gustavo Arellano says voters should pray extra hard to these patron saints for the 2026 election. — Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 10 Sep. 2026

Last year’s Patriots were painted as the patron saints of soft schedules. — Steve Buckley, New York Times, 10 Sep. 2026

Temascalcingo, MexicoAP — Pyrotechnic material exploded during the festival for a patron saint in a town in Mexico State, collapsing a wall, killing at least 10 people and injuring another 64, Mexican authorities said. — CNN Money, 7 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