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

Rounding off the panel were Delphine Arnault, chairman and chief executive officer of Dior; Sidney Toledano, an adviser to LVMH chairman and CEO Bernard Arnault, and Jean-Paul Claverie, also an adviser to Arnault, and director of patronage at LVMH. —Joelle Diderich, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2025

The Queen, 78, visited several of her royal patronages in Cornwall, on the southwest tip of England, meeting with locals and checking in with various charities. —Meredith Kile, People.com, 2 Sep. 2025

Corporate patronage, driven by the hype surrounding indie, also rained paydays on off-beat artists. —Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 29 Aug. 2025

In 2022, he was stripped of his royal patronages and military titles. —Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa, FOXNews.com, 25 Aug. 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