patron

¹ American  

[pey-truhn] / ˈpeɪ trən /

noun

1. a person who is a customer, client, or paying guest, especially a regular one, of a store, hotel, or the like.

2. 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.

3. a person whose support or protection is solicited or acknowledged by the dedication of a book or other work.

4. patron saint.

5. Roman History. the protector of a dependent or client, often the former master of a freedman still retaining certain rights over him.

6. Ecclesiastical. a person who has the right of presenting a member of the clergy to a benefice.

---

patrón ² American  

[pah-trawn] / pɑˈtrɔn /

noun

Spanish.

plural

patrones

1. (in Mexico and the southwestern U.S.) a boss; employer.

---

patron ¹ British  

/ ˈpeɪtrən, pəˈtrəʊnəl /

noun

1. a person, esp a man, who sponsors or aids artists, charities, etc; protector or benefactor

2. a customer of a shop, hotel, etc, esp a regular one

3. See patron saint

4. (in ancient Rome) the protector of a dependant or client, often the former master of a freedman still retaining certain rights over him

5. Christianity a person or body having the right to present a clergyman to a benefice

---

patron ² British  

/ patrɔ̃ /

noun

1. a man, who owns or manages a hotel, restaurant, or bar

---

patron ³ British  

/ ˈpætərn /

noun

1. a variant spelling of pattern 2

---

Other Word Forms

• patronal adjective
• patrondom noun
• patronless adjective
• patronly adjective
• patronship noun
• subpatronal adjective

Etymology

Origin of patron¹

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

Origin of patrón²

First recorded in 1860–65; from Spanish; see patron ( def. )

Explanation

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.

Example Sentences

“It gives Iran a posture of influence on the strategic situation in Lebanon as the patron who achieved this cease-fire,” Guterman said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 17, 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 waiting list for Masters tickets has been closed for decades and patron badges are passed down through families like heirlooms.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 12, 2026

The colour is believed to be a homage to the fifth Earl of Rosebery, Archibald Primrose, a 19th Century Liberal prime minister and patron of Scottish football.

From BBC • Mar. 24, 2026

Everybody’s health was proposed, from Mr. Laurence, who was considered their special patron, to the astonished guinea pig, who had strayed from its proper sphere in search of its young master.

From "Little Women" by Louisa May Alcott

Related Words

• advocate
• backer
• benefactor
• fan
• friend
• leader
• philanthropist
• sponsor
• supporter
• well-wisher