Definition of patronage
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
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