patron saint

noun

1

: a saint to whose protection and intercession a person, a society, a church, or a place is dedicated

2

: an original leader or prime exemplar

Synonyms

• beau ideal
• classic
• eidolon
• exemplar
• idea
• ideal
• model
• nonesuch
• nonpareil
• paragon

Examples of patron saint in a Sentence

St. David is the patron saint of Wales.

St. Christopher is the patron saint of travelers.

The success of her books has made her the patron saint of a new literary movement.

Recent Examples on the Web

With one exception, the celebration has been held every five years since on the last weekend of July to coincide with the celebration of San Ignatius de Loyola, the patron saint of Basque people, according to the Basque Foundation. —Nick Rosenberger, Idaho Statesman, 14 Jan. 2025

The night of June 23rd into the 24th marks the peak of midsummer festivities and coincides with the celebration of the city’s cherished patron saint, through a unique merge of Catholic and pagan rituals that stretches back centuries. —Ana Leorne, SPIN, 31 Dec. 2024

Jennifer Aniston has been the patron saint of our hair-spiration board since her Friends days. —Margaux Anbouba, Vogue, 20 Nov. 2024

Glenn explains Carmen is the patron saint of sailing, and the rite is about getting her blessing. —Emma Soren, Vulture, 17 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1703, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

patron saint

noun

: a saint to whom a person, society, church, or place is dedicated