patron

1 a person who buys a product or uses a service from a business a restaurant patron Synonyms account, client, guest, customer, punter [chiefly British]Related Words consumer, end user, user; buyer, correspondent, purchaser, vendee; browser, prospect, shopper, window-shopper; bargainer, haggler; regularNear Antonyms broker, merchant, seller, vendor (also vender); shopkeeper, tradesman; black marketer (or black marketeer), fence

2 a person who takes the responsibility for some other person or thing the wealthy philanthropist is one of the city's most generous patrons of its symphony orchestra Synonyms backer, guarantor, sponsor, suretyRelated Words chaperone (or chaperon); advocate, champion, supporter; angel, benefactor, underwriter; coach, mentor, teacher; cosponsor; cosignatory, cosigner

3 one that helps another with gifts or money the patron for the museum's current blockbuster is the city's biggest banking institution Synonyms angel, donator, donor, fairy godmother, Maecenas, benefactor, sugar daddyRelated Words benefactress, patroness; almoner, almsgiver, philanthropist; altruist, bestower, contributor, giver; helper, subscriber, supporter; guardian angel, protector, savior (or saviour)Near Antonyms beneficiary, donee, giftee, recipient