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

The long history of psychedelics and religion is filled with scientists, anthropologists, mystics, shamans, outlaws, and prophets, but these two men are, more than any others, the patron saints of our current psychedelic revival. — Claire Hoffman, Rolling Stone, 21 Sep. 2026

This year marks the 100th edition of the Feast of San Gennaro, which celebrates the patron saint of Naples and has been hosted on Mulberry Street since Italian immigrants began the tradition. — Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 17 Sep. 2026

Rausseo had just started as pastor at Saint Therese of the Child Jesus Church and was ready for the annual celebration of the patron saint of Zulia, an oil-rich Venezuelan state that includes Maracaibo, the country's second-largest city. — CBS News, 17 Sep. 2026

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

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