patron saint

noun

Synonyms of patron saintnext
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Even the ideology of the group’s patron saint was more complicated than the ACC lets on. Gaby Del Valle, Harpers Magazine, 24 Mar. 2026 And the brief life of France's patron saint, Joan of Arc, was also in the 15th century. CBS News, 24 Mar. 2026 Anybody heading into the spring with a seasonably cheerful and rosy view of world affairs will be well-met by the return of the patron saints of drone metal, pulling on their cloaks to herald our everlong winter. Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 23 Mar. 2026 There the grave still is, of Ireland’s three patron saints, under a granite slab added at the start of the 20th century to stop pilgrims stealing soil from the site. Maureen O'Hare, CNN Money, 17 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for patron saint

Word History

First Known Use

1703, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of patron saint was in 1703

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Patron saint.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/patron%20saint. Accessed 28 Mar. 2026.

Kids Definition

patron saint

noun
: a saint to whom a person, society, church, or place is dedicated

More from Merriam-Webster on patron saint

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster