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.
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.
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
First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English, from Medieval Latin, Latin patrōnus “legal protector, advocate” ( Medieval Latin: “lord, master”), derivative of pater “father”; see pattern
First recorded in 1860–65; from Spanish; see patron ( def. )
A patron supports someone or something. A patron of a business supports the business by being a loyal customer. A patron of the arts helps support starving artists — financially, not with food rations. The word patron comes from the Latin pater or patr- meaning "father." Think of how a father is supposed to financially support his kids. A patron of the arts is someone who shows his appreciation or support for the arts by donating money to arts organizations. And a patron of the Red Lobster is a frequent customer who can be seen in the same corner booth every Sunday night, noshing on cheddar biscuits.
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Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Earlier this year, Princess Eugenie stepped down as patron of a separate charity, Anti-Slavery International, a role she had held for seven years.
From BBC • 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
The government is providing a one-off payment of £40m to establish the Queen Elizabeth Trust, which will have King Charles III as its patron.
From BBC • Apr. 18, 2026
That seemingly contradictory cocktail might make her a patron saint for a generation lost to the norms but seeking what feels like meaning.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 16, 2026
It is sometimes difficult to discern performer from patron.
From "The Night Circus" by Erin Morgenstern
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
