patron saint

noun

Updated on: 16 Apr 2018

Definition of patron saint

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

See patron saint defined for English-language learners

See patron saint defined for kids

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 of patron saint from the Web

If the royals follow a similar schedule this go around, that would put the new baby's arrival right around April 23, otherwise known as the feast of St. George, the patron saint of England.

— caroline hallemann, Town & Country, "A Royal Photographer Says Media Positions Outside the Lindo Wing Go Up Next Week," 6 Apr. 2018
There, calmly staring out at the players, is a replica of the Virgin of Montserrat, Catalonia’s most famous religious icon and its patron saint, with Baby Jesus on her lap.

— vivienne walt, Fortune, "Inside FC Barcelona's Global Football Empire," 21 Mar. 2018
San Francisco, named for the patron saint of animals, has a reputation for a strong social conscience, often at a cost to businesses.

— janie har, USA TODAY, "San Francisco becomes largest U.S. city to ban fur sales," 21 Mar. 2018
One of Baltimore’s earliest St. Patrick’s Day parades may have included an appearance by the patron saint of Ireland himself.

— jerry jackson, baltimoresun.com, "St. Patrick's Day in Baltimore through the years," 16 Mar. 2018
The Archdiocese of Detroit on Friday used Twitter to ask the public: Who should be designated the patron saint of potholes?

— ann zaniewski, Detroit Free Press, "Catholic Archdiocese asks: Who should be the patron saint of potholes?," 24 Feb. 2018
Rumi and his patron saint, Shams Tabrizi, spoke Persian and were born in what was then the Persian Empire.

— erin cunningham, Washington Post, "Why Turkey’s president was among thousands in Konya paying homage to Rumi," 2 Jan. 2018
But Abba Moses is an unlikely patron saint for contemporary Turks.

— virginia heffernan, WIRED, "Beware the Academic Vanity Honeypot," 30 Mar. 2018
If Phoebe Philo is the patron saint of artful, accomplished women, then Haider Ackermann must be the equivalent for men.

— steff yotka, Vogue, "Calling All Softboys: There’s a Tender New Trend in Menswear," 29 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'patron saint.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of patron saint

1703

in the meaning defined at sense 1

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PATRON SAINT Defined for English Language Learners

patron saint

noun

Definition of patron saint for English Language Learners

: a saint who is believed to protect a particular place or type of person
: a person who is known or admired as a leader or example

PATRON SAINT Defined for Kids

patron saint

noun

Definition of patron saint for Students

: a saint to whom a church or society is dedicated

Learn More about patron saint

See words that rhyme with patron saint Nglish: Translation of patron saint for Spanish speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about patron saint

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patron saint

Definition of patron saint

Examples of patron saint in a Sentence

Recent Examples of patron saint from the Web

First Known Use of patron saint

PATRON SAINT Defined for English Language Learners

patron saint

Definition of patron saint for English Language Learners

PATRON SAINT Defined for Kids

patron saint

Definition of patron saint for Students

Learn More about patron saint

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Definition of patron saint

Examples of patron saint in a Sentence

Recent Examples of patron saint from the Web

First Known Use of patron saint

PATRON SAINT Defined for English Language Learners

patron saint

Definition of patron saint for English Language Learners

PATRON SAINT Defined for Kids

patron saint

Definition of patron saint for Students

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