patron saint

noun

1. a saint regarded as the special guardian of a person, group, trade, country, etc.

patron saint

noun

1. a saint regarded as the particular guardian of a country, church, trade, person, etc

patron saint

1. A saint from whom a person or group claims special protection or prayers. Saint Christopher, for example, is considered the patron of travelers; Saint Luke, the patron of doctors; and Saint Patrick, the patron of Ireland. People who have the same name as a saint may consider the saint their patron. The honoring of patron saints is especially common in the Roman Catholic Church.

Word History and Origins

Origin of patron saint¹

First recorded in 1710–20

Related Words

• guardian angel