patron

noun

pa·​tron ˈpā-trən 

for sense 6 also

pa-ˈtrōⁿ 

plural patrons

1

a

: a person chosen, named, or honored as a special guardian, protector, or supporter

a patron of the arts

b

: a wealthy or influential supporter of an artist or writer

… the unspoken contract between artist and patron …

—D. D. R. Owen

c

: a social or financial sponsor of a social function (such as a ball or concert)

a patron of the annual masked ball

2

: one that uses wealth or influence to help an individual, an institution, or a cause

a patron of the city library

3

: one who buys the goods or uses the services offered especially by an establishment

a restaurant's patrons

4

: the holder of the right of presentation to an English ecclesiastical benefice

5

: a master (see master entry 1 sense 2g) in ancient times who freed a person he had held in slavery but retained some rights over that person

6

[French, from Middle French] : the proprietor of an establishment (such as an inn) especially in France

7

: the chief male officer in some fraternal lodges having both men and women members

patronal

ˈpā-trə-nᵊl 

 British  pə-ˈtrō-nᵊl

pa-

adjective

Synonyms

• account
• client
• customer
• guest
• punter [chiefly British]

Examples of patron in a Sentence

She is a well-known patron of the arts.

the wealthy philanthropist is one of the city's most generous patrons of its symphony orchestra

Recent Examples on the Web

Politics ‘Just amazing’: How San Diego undid a program that widened library disparities, and boosted its neediest branches Feb. 18, 2024 Gloria also proposes to cut $670,000 from a program called SD Access 4 All that lets patrons borrow laptops and wifi hotspots for free. —David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Apr. 2024

Queen Camilla has been a patron of SafeLives since 2020 and actively supports the national charity dedicated to ending domestic abuse. —Janine Henni, Peoplemag, 16 Apr. 2024

No cops roamed, no evidence was gathered, no patrons were turned away. —Travis M. Andrews, Washington Post, 12 Apr. 2024

Caught in the gunfire were six patrons of the Martini Bar who had nothing to do with the altercation that led to the shootings, according to police. —Charles Rabin and, Miami Herald, 9 Apr. 2024

On Monday evening, at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, emerging talent and patrons of the arts convened to celebrate the YoungArts Gal, which supports artists in film, music, poetry, dance, and more. —Maia Torres, Vogue, 9 Apr. 2024

Among the many fans of Gittins’ works is Jarvis Cocker, front man of the indie band Pulp and a patron of the campaign to preserve the property. —Lianne Kolirin, CNN, 7 Apr. 2024

When a security guard attempted to intervene, police say one of the patrons drew a firearm and fatally shot the guard. —Chris Pandolfo, Fox News, 6 Apr. 2024

Generous patrons of the New Museum were spoiled with rare artworks and one-in-a-lifetime experiences. —Maia Torres, Vogue, 4 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin & Latin; Medieval Latin patronus patron saint, patron of a benefice, pattern, from Latin, defender, from patr-, pater

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing patron

• patron saint

Kids Definition

patron

noun

pa·​tron ˈpā-trən 

1

: a person chosen as a special guardian or supporter

a patron of poets

2

: one who gives generous support or approval

a patron of the arts

3

: a person who buys the goods or uses the services offered (as by a business)

Etymology

Middle English patroun "a special guardian or protector," from early French patrun, patron (same meaning), from Latin patronus "patron, patron saint," from earlier patronus "defender," from patr-, pater "father" — related to padre, paternal, pattern