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
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
There’s a reason why Pope Francis chose the name of St. Francis of Assisi—the patron saint of the poor.
—
John Hope Bryant, Time, 21 Apr. 2025
That's not surprising for a pontiff who was the first to take the name of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals and ecology.
—Jeff Brady, NPR, 21 Apr. 2025
Pope Francis took his name from St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals and the environment.
—Julia Prodis Sulek, Mercury News, 21 Apr. 2025
For a week, Loíza erupts in celebration with parades, bomba performances and colorful processions honoring the town’s patron saint.
—Melissa Rose Cooper, Essence, 18 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for patron saint
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John Hope Bryant, Time, 21 Apr. 2025
That's not surprising for a pontiff who was the first to take the name of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals and ecology.
—Jeff Brady, NPR, 21 Apr. 2025
Pope Francis took his name from St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals and the environment.
—Julia Prodis Sulek, Mercury News, 21 Apr. 2025
For a week, Loíza erupts in celebration with parades, bomba performances and colorful processions honoring the town’s patron saint.
—Melissa Rose Cooper, Essence, 18 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for patron saint
Cite this Entry
“Patron saint.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/patron%20saint. Accessed 4 May. 2025.
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