patron saint

American  

noun

patron saints plural

1. a saint regarded as the special guardian of a person, group, trade, country, etc.

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patron saint British  

noun

1. a saint regarded as the particular guardian of a country, church, trade, person, etc

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patron saint Cultural  

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.

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• patron saints
  plural

Etymology

Origin of patron saint

First recorded in 1710–20

Example Sentences

But England is a nation divided over its identity and even over how to celebrate its patron saint.

From BBC • Jun. 5, 2026

He couldn’t overcome the opposition, including the powerful maritime unions, and called himself the patron saint of lost causes.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 13, 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

Our twisted version of a capitalist guardian angel, patron saint of spandex in a cropped matching set.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 17, 2026

The knight was Florian, like Saint Florian, the patron saint of Poland.

From "Salt to the Sea" by Ruta Sepetys

Related Words

• guardian angel