patron

[ pey-truhn ]

/ ˈpeɪ trən /

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See synonyms for: patron / patrons on Thesaurus.com

noun

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.

patron saint.

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.

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of patron

1250–1300; Middle English <Medieval Latin, Latin patrōnus legal protector, advocate (Medieval Latin: lord, master), derivative of paterfather. See pattern

OTHER WORDS FROM patron

pa·tron·al, pa·tron·ly, adjectivepa·tron·dom, pa·tron·ship, nounpa·tron·less, adjectivesub·pa·tron·al, adjective

Words nearby patron

patrologist, patrology, patrol torpedo boat, patrol wagon, patrolwoman, patron, patronage, patroness, patronize, patronizing, patronne

Other definitions for patron (2 of 2)

patrón

[ pah-trawn ]

/ pɑˈtrɔn /

noun, plural pa·tron·es

[pah-traw-nes]. /pɑˈtrɔ nɛs/. Spanish.

(in Mexico and the southwestern U.S.) a boss; employer.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use patron in a sentence

In that regard, Miami will be able to take advantage of its warm weather and direct patrons with food or beverages to outdoor areas.
Miami Heat to use coronavirus-sniffing dogs to allow some fans back into arena|Des Bieler|January 22, 2021|Washington Post
“So, we first and foremost wanted to keep our staff, our neighbors, and our patrons safe,” he said.
Inaugural lockdown adds to local business woes|Lou Chibbaro Jr.|January 21, 2021|Washington Blade
Much depends on the local restrictions in place, but the center could have 50 donors indoors and up to a few hundred outside, with testing and other protocols in place to assure artist and patron safety.
Kennedy Center Honors will stage almost a week of events celebrating Garth Brooks, Debbie Allen, Joan Baez and more|Peggy McGlone|January 13, 2021|Washington Post
Earlier this fall, many of the nation’s restaurants opened their doors to patrons to eat inside, especially as the weather turned cold in places.
Is indoor dining safe? Five health experts weigh in.|By Laurie Archbald-Pannone Et Al./The Conversation|January 6, 2021|Popular-Science

The real test, at that point, will be convincing patrons it’s safe to come back to the gym.
What another lockdown means for January gym sales|Rachel King|December 28, 2020|Fortune
I hardly spoke to every patron, but there may have been some validity to his assessment.
I Ate Potato Pancakes Til I Plotzed|Emily Shire|December 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The artist came down and stood beside his patron to assess things.
Great Renaissance Art Thrived Amid Filth|Nick Romeo|December 3, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Michelangelo tricked his patron about the David, but sometimes he was forcibly reminded who paid the bills.
Great Renaissance Art Thrived Amid Filth|Nick Romeo|December 3, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He was a scion of immense wealth, a civil rights activist, and an art collector and patron.
This Republican Loved Taxes & Modern Art|Scott Porch|November 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
At the time, last March, the then-46-year-old Omidyar was being heralded as a patron saint of the financially beleaguered newsbiz.
Journalists + eBay Billionaire = Chaos. The Troubles at Pierre Omidyar’s First Look Media|Lloyd Grove|November 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST
It was evident to the German doctor that his patron looked forward to his great-niece's visit with pleasure.
The Pit Town Coronet, Volume I (of 3)|Charles James Wills
Owing to the death of Popham, their chief patron, and other misfortunes, the colonists returned to England in 1608.
The Jesuit Relations and Allied Documents, Vol. II: Acadia, 1612-1614|Various
Conjecture, lost in the mazy distance, gladly lays hold of something substantial in the shape of snuff's first royal patron.
Tobacco; Its History, Varieties, Culture, Manufacture and Commerce|E. R. Billings.
He was a politic monarch, the patron of men of letters, and an excellent author himself.
The Every Day Book of History and Chronology|Joel Munsell
Nor can a telephone company legally charge a higher rental for a telephone to a telegraph company than to any other patron.
Putnam's Handy Law Book for the Layman|Albert Sidney Bolles

British Dictionary definitions for patron (1 of 3)

patron¹

/ (ˈpeɪtrən) /

noun

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

Derived forms of patron

patronal (pəˈtrəʊnəl), adjectivepatronly, adjective

Word Origin for patron

C14: via Old French from Latin patrōnus protector, from pater father

British Dictionary definitions for patron (2 of 3)

patron²

/ French (patrɔ̃) /

noun

a man, who owns or manages a hotel, restaurant, or bar

British Dictionary definitions for patron (3 of 3)

patron³

/ (ˈpætərn) /

noun

Irish a variant spelling of pattern 2

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

patron

Origin of patron

OTHER WORDS FROM patron

Words nearby patron

Other definitions for patron (2 of 2)

Words related to patron

How to use patron in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for patron (1 of 3)

Derived forms of patron

Word Origin for patron

British Dictionary definitions for patron (2 of 3)

British Dictionary definitions for patron (3 of 3)