patron

¹

[pey-truhn]

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

[pah-trawn]

noun

Spanish.

plural

patrones 

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

patron

¹

/ 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

/ patrɔ̃ /

noun

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

patron

³

/ ˈpætərn /

noun

1. a variant spelling of pattern 2

Other Word Forms

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

Word History and Origins

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”; pattern

Origin of patron²

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of patron¹

C14: via Old French from Latin patrōnus protector, from pater father

Example Sentences

He has been patron of the charity which supports seriously ill children and their families for 17 years.

From BBC

Once an up-and-coming baseball wunderkind, Hank is now content watching his beloved San Francisco Giants play from across the country while he makes a modest name for himself among the bar patrons.

From Salon

"Queuing around the venue causes disruption and we appeal to patrons to heed this advice and respect the local community."

From BBC

Those raising flags on lampposts in recent weeks have used mostly union jacks, but others - particularly those painting roundabouts and zebra crossings - have chosen the St George's Cross, which symbolises the patron saint of England.

From BBC

Powe’s relatives belonged to the Knights, named for a 17th century Spanish Jesuit who ministered to enslaved people in Colombia and is the country’s patron saint.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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