patrician

American  

[puh-trish-uhn] / pəˈtrɪʃ ən /

noun

1. a person of noble or high rank; aristocrat.

2. a person of very good background, education, and refinement.

3. a member of the original senatorial aristocracy in ancient Rome.

4. (under the later Roman and Byzantine empires) a title or dignity conferred by the emperor.

5. a member of a hereditary ruling class in certain medieval German, Swiss, and Italian free cities.

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adjective

1. of high social rank or noble family; aristocratic.

2. befitting or characteristic of persons of very good background, education, and refinement.

   patrician tastes.

   Synonyms:

   stately, genteel, dignified

3. of or belonging to the patrician families of ancient Rome.

patrician British  

/ pəˈtrɪʃən /

noun

1. a member of the hereditary aristocracy of ancient Rome. In the early republic the patricians held almost all the higher offices Compare plebs

2. a high nonhereditary title awarded by Constantine and his eastern Roman successors for services to the empire

3. 1. a title borne by numerous princes including several emperors from the 8th to the 12th centuries

   2. a member of the upper class in numerous Italian republics and German free cities

4. an aristocrat

5. a person of refined conduct, tastes, etc

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adjective

1. (esp in ancient Rome) of, relating to, or composed of patricians

2. aristocratic

3. oligarchic and often antidemocratic or nonpopular

   patrician political views

Other Word Forms

• patricianhood noun
• patricianism noun
• patricianly adverb
• patricianship noun
• prepatrician adjective
• unpatrician adjective

Etymology

Origin of patrician

First recorded in 1400–50; from Latin patrīci(us) “having the rank of patrician, noble,” (equivalent to patr-, stem of pater “father” + -īcius adjective suffix) + -an; replacing late Middle English patricion, from Old French patricien; patr- ( def. ), -itious ( def. ), -an ( def. )

Example Sentences

She holds a patrician bearing that comes naturally to Pfeiffer and a kind of full-bodied humanity that makes the actor an ageless romantic lead.

From Salon • Mar. 23, 2026

For many Americans, the nationally televised hearing was the first close look at the patrician, grey-haired former FBI director.

From Barron's • Mar. 21, 2026

Van Berchem was one of the city’s most respected financiers, a patrician figure with deep roots in Geneva society.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 18, 2025

For decades she was dismissed as a paintbrush-wielding patrician unconnected to the make-it-new spirit of modern art.

From New York Times • May 16, 2024

When this fails— think the patrician George H. W. Bush’s claimed affinity for pork rinds, or any Democratic candidate at an NRA meeting—the result is often highly comical, if not cringe-inducing.

From "Words Like Loaded Pistols" by Sam Leith

Related Words

• aristocratic