patronage

[ pey-truh-nij, pa‐ ]
See synonyms for patronage on Thesaurus.com
noun
  1. the financial support or business provided to a store, hotel, or the like, by customers, clients, or paying guests.

  2. patrons collectively; clientele.

  1. the control of or power to make appointments to government jobs or the power to grant other political favors.

  2. offices, jobs, or other favors so controlled.

  3. the distribution of jobs and favors on a political basis, as to those who have supported one's party or political campaign.

  4. a condescending manner or attitude in granting favors, in dealing with people, etc.; condescension: an air of patronage toward his business subordinates.

  5. the position, encouragement, influence, or support of a patron, as toward an artist, institution, etc.

  6. the right of presentation to an ecclesiastical benefice; advowson.

Origin of patronage

1
1350–1400; Middle English <Middle French; see patron, -age

Other words for patronage

Other words from patronage

  • pro·pa·tron·age, adjective

Words Nearby patronage

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use patronage in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for patronage

patronage

/ (ˈpætrənɪdʒ) /


noun
    • the support given or custom brought by a patron or patroness

    • the position of a patron

  1. (in politics)

    • the practice of making appointments to office, granting contracts, etc

    • the favours so distributed

    • a condescending manner

    • any kindness done in a condescending way

  1. Christianity the right to present a clergyman to a benefice

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Cultural definitions for patronage

patronage

[ (pay-truh-nij, pat-ruh-nij) ]


The power of a government official or leader to make appointments and offer favors. Once in office, a politician can use patronage to build a loyal following. Though practiced at all levels of government, patronage is most often associated with the machine politics of big cities. (See spoils system.)

The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.