patronage

noun

pa·​tron·​age ˈpa-trə-nij  ˈpā- 

1

: advowson

2

: the support or influence of a patron

the patronage of science by universities

3

: kindness done with an air of superiority

The prince deigned to bestow his patronage on the composer.

4

: business or activity provided by patrons

the new branch library is expected to have a heavy patronage

5

a

: the power to make appointments to government jobs especially for political advantage

oust his enemies from office and use the patronage to support his policies

—H. K. Beale

b

: the distribution of jobs on the basis of patronage

The governor filled the vacated positions through patronage.

c

: jobs distributed by patronage

the government's vast network of patronage

Synonyms

• sponsorship

Examples of patronage in a Sentence

The college relied on the patronage of its wealthy graduates to expand its funds.

They thanked her for her patronage of the new hospital.

The city should do more to encourage patronage of local businesses.

a system of political patronage

Recent Examples on the Web

Dams and water diversions became engines of patronage, enriching insiders, killing rivers and exacting a terrible cost from rural communities. —Nik Kowsar, Time, 2 Oct. 2025

The overhaul is intended to improve visitor circulation inside the seventeenth-century hôtel particulier that has housed the museum since its 1985 founding and is being funded through patronage coordinated with a foundation hosted by the Académie des Beaux-Arts. —News Desk, Artforum, 30 Sep. 2025

Presented by the Afro Fashion Association with the patronage of the City of Milan and support from the National Chamber of Italian Fashion, the evening felt less like a prizegiving and more like a manifesto, where fashion, culture, and future-facing ideas shared one stage. —Susanna Owusu Twumwah, Vogue, 25 Sep. 2025

Harry served nearly a decade in the British Army and, like many royals, is involved with various causes and patronages of charities – including ones that help soldiers. —Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 12 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

patronage

noun

pa·​tron·​age ˈpa-trə-nij  ˈpā- 

1

: the support or influence of a patron

2

: business or activity provided by patrons

3

: the power to give out government jobs, contracts, or favors