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 of patronage

• 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

Religious and patronage loyalties run deep in rural areas in particular, since the Islamic Republic brought basic services to Iran’s countryside and small towns. —ABC News, 10 Mar. 2026

Some rightfully argue that art has a few thousand more years of history, connoisseurship, and patronage, but there’s no question that cars have a hold on the imaginations and purse strings of would-be modern Medicis. —Robert Ross, Robb Report, 6 Mar. 2026

In practice, they are enmeshed in the same web of patronage and coercion as the rest of the system. —Bobby Ghosh, Time, 5 Mar. 2026

At the same time, large numbers of loyalists remain tied to the system for religious, social or patronage reasons. —Arkansas Online, 2 Mar. 2026

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