patron saint

American  

noun

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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Etymology

Origin of patron saint

First recorded in 1710–20

Example Sentences

The remains of Italy's patron saint, St Francis of Assisi, have gone on public display to mark 800 years since his death.

From BBC • Feb. 22, 2026

Ah Bartleby, the patron saint of quiet quitters!

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 5, 2026

Among the small community of people who adore the photoplayer, Rinaudo is something of a patron saint.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 3, 2025

The ferocious storm reduced El Cobre, the 7,000-population home of a sanctuary to the Virgin of Charity of El Cobre, Cuba's patron saint, to rubble.

From Barron's • Oct. 31, 2025

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

From "Salt to the Sea" by Ruta Sepetys

Related Words

• guardian angel