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

Example Sentences

Saint Edgar of Alberta: patron saint of disciplined capital, guardian of dividends, protector of anyone smart enough to ignore cable news.

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People in a Welsh village were left baffled after St George's Crosses, the symbol of England's patron saint and the country's flag, appeared around the area.

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Or perhaps that was one of the many small outs contributing to the idea that Sheen may be the patron saint of men escaping consequences.

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Those raising flags on lampposts in recent weeks have used mostly union jacks, but others - particularly those painting roundabouts and zebra crossings - have chosen the St George's Cross, which symbolises the patron saint of England.

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Powe’s relatives belonged to the Knights, named for a 17th century Spanish Jesuit who ministered to enslaved people in Colombia and is the country’s patron saint.

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Related Words

• guardian angel