patroness
Americannoun
noun
-
a woman who sponsors or aids artists, charities, etc; protector or benefactor
-
See patron saint
Gender
See -ess.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of patroness
1375–1425; late Middle English patronesse female patron saint < Old French
Vocabulary lists containing patroness
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Their missive even concluded with a shout-out to Our Lady of Guadalupe, the brown, pregnant apparition of the Virgin Mary who’s the patroness of the Americas for Catholics.
From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 15, 2025
Authorities estimated that over five million faithful visited the Basilica during the days leading up to the annual celebration of the country’s patroness.
From Seattle Times • Dec. 12, 2023
Many stopped to kiss an icon of the patroness of their city, which an employee of the church said had been pulled from the rubble.
From New York Times • Jul. 25, 2023
On a show like "Ted Lasso," for example, a filthy rich patroness may offer to solve a salaried friend's problems with getting a seat at a favorite restaurant by buying the place.
From Salon • Sep. 5, 2021
Isannah, very good and quiet, was snuggled close to her, her hand in that of her patroness.
From "Johnny Tremain" by Esther Hoskins Forbes
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.
