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

He was later canonized and is known as, among other things, the patron saint of adult education and journalists. —Frank Witsil, Detroit Free Press, 20 Nov. 2024

Demure mindfulness, according to its patron saint, describes a practice that is spiritually equal and opposite from the one known as Brat Summer. —Brennan Kilbane, Allure, 16 Aug. 2024

Now a new film will explore the patron saint of France’s enduring popularity. —Daniel Wine, CNN, 15 Oct. 2024

Post like Meghan Trainor There’s another pop star out there making unremarkable hits and posting her way through it: patron saint of Walgreens music Meghan Trainor. —Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 5 Sep. 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