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 patron saint of the auto-cracy was Robert Moses, the mid-20th century New York City urban planner who left an outsized legacy across the country that resulted in cities built for car dependency. —Jason Haber, Sun Sentinel, 3 Mar. 2026

Kate Middleton—Catherine, Princess of Wales—has been brushing up on her own grasp of the Celtic language just in time for the patron saint’s day. —Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 1 Mar. 2026

The yellow flower symbolizes the patron saint of Wales, who is celebrated annually on March 1. —Hannah Malach, InStyle, 26 Feb. 2026

Meanwhile, the tribute to Nancy Guthrie outside her home keeps growing, with flowers, yellow ribbons, crosses, prayers and patron saints for older adults and in desperate situations. —Jacques Billeaud, Chicago Tribune, 24 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1703, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for patron saint

• acquaint
• complaint
• constraint
• distraint
• enceinte
• repaint
• restraint
• faint
• feint
• maint
• paint
• plaint

Kids Definition

patron saint

noun

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