patronage

noun

pa·​tron·​age ˈpa-trə-nij  ˈpā- 

1

: advowson

2

: the support or influence of a patron

the patronage of science by universities

3

: kindness done with an air of superiority

The prince deigned to bestow his patronage on the composer.

4

: business or activity provided by patrons

the new branch library is expected to have a heavy patronage

5

a

: the power to make appointments to government jobs especially for political advantage

oust his enemies from office and use the patronage to support his policies

—H. K. Beale

b

: the distribution of jobs on the basis of patronage

The governor filled the vacated positions through patronage.

c

: jobs distributed by patronage

the government's vast network of patronage

Synonyms

• aegis
• egis
• auspice
• backing
• sponsorship

Examples of patronage in a Sentence

The college relied on the patronage of its wealthy graduates to expand its funds.

They thanked her for her patronage of the new hospital.

The city should do more to encourage patronage of local businesses.

a system of political patronage

Recent Examples on the Web

There are companies like Costco, Target, and Barnes & Noble that deserve our patronage and others, like Amazon, that don't. —Tommy Tuberville, Newsweek, 8 Jan. 2025

Musk and Ramaswamy risk taking us back to the system of patronage, corruption and incompetence that defined government through the 1800s and that past reformers eliminated. —Thomas J. Greitens, Scientific American, 7 Jan. 2025

Pictures of the family from past decades line the walls of Jess & Jim’s, alongside plaques in honor of long-time customers, thanking them for their patronage. —Sidney Steele, Kansas City Star, 2 Jan. 2025

Morgan also posted an Instagram video on Wednesday thanking the Greater Cincinnati community, especially the students at UC and Xavier University, for their patronage over the years. —Haadiza Ogwude, The Enquirer, 19 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

patronage

noun

pa·​tron·​age ˈpa-trə-nij  ˈpā- 

1

: the support or influence of a patron

2

: business or activity provided by patrons

3

: the power to give out government jobs, contracts, or favors