a person who is a customer, client, or paying guest, especially a regular one, of a store, hotel, or the like.
a person who supports with money, gifts, efforts, or endorsement an artist, writer, museum, cause, charity, institution, special event, or the like.
a patron of the arts; patrons of the annual Democratic dance.
a person whose support or protection is solicited or acknowledged by the dedication of a book or other work.
Roman History. the protector of a dependent or client, often the former master of a freedman still retaining certain rights over him.
Ecclesiastical. a person who has the right of presenting a member of the clergy to a benefice.
a person, esp a man, who sponsors or aids artists, charities, etc; protector or benefactor
a customer of a shop, hotel, etc, esp a regular one
See patron saint
(in ancient Rome) the protector of a dependant or client, often the former master of a freedman still retaining certain rights over him
Christianity a person or body having the right to present a clergyman to a benefice
First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English, from Medieval Latin, Latin patrōnus “legal protector, advocate” ( Medieval Latin: “lord, master”), derivative of pater “father”; see pattern
First recorded in 1860–65; from Spanish; see patron ( def. )
A patron supports someone or something. A patron of a business supports the business by being a loyal customer. A patron of the arts helps support starving artists — financially, not with food rations. The word patron comes from the Latin pater or patr- meaning "father." Think of how a father is supposed to financially support his kids. A patron of the arts is someone who shows his appreciation or support for the arts by donating money to arts organizations. And a patron of the Red Lobster is a frequent customer who can be seen in the same corner booth every Sunday night, noshing on cheddar biscuits.
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Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
How the RSF appears to have an inexhaustible supply of drones has been the subject of speculation, but observers say it has a wealthy Persian Gulf patron of its own in the United Arab Emirates.
From Los Angeles Times • May 24, 2026
After the performance, the King, who is a patron of the RSC, greeted the cast backstage and was seen chatting with Sir Kenneth and Sir Richard.
From BBC • May 23, 2026
With their help, the conference can put its money where its mouth is, as the patron saint of world-changing upstarts.
From Slate • May 8, 2026
“It gives Iran a posture of influence on the strategic situation in Lebanon as the patron who achieved this cease-fire,” Guterman said.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 17, 2026
The next accelerator would require thousands of dollars, and for that, he needed a new patron.
From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
