Dictionary.com

patron

[ pey-truhn ]
/ ˈpeɪ trən /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR patron 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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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

Definition 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. 2020

Words related to patron

advocate, benefactor, backer, leader, philanthropist, fan, sponsor, supporter, friend, well-wisher, customer, buyer, client, shopper, head, angel, helper, guardian, partisan, sympathizer

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