patronage
noun
pa·tron·age
ˈpa-trə-nij 
ˈpā-
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
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
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
The project to build the hospice was one of the last patronages of the late Princess Diana, and it was completed a few years after her 1997 death.
—Simon Perry, People.com, 30 Jan. 2025
The Trump administration wants the firings challenged to get the Supreme Court to hold that the president can fire anyone within the executive branch, stripping civil servants of protections fundamentally designed to fight patronage and graft.
—Noah Feldman, Twin Cities, 30 Jan. 2025
Costly and complex overhaul Macron said that a new entrance for the Louvre will be created near the Seine by 2031, to be financed by ticket sales, patronage and licensing money from the museum’s Abu Dhabi branch.
—Sylvie Corbet, Chicago Tribune, 28 Jan. 2025
Jean-Paul Claverie, an adviser to business titan Bernard Arnault and director of patronage for the French luxury conglomerate, was elevated to commander on the list of the French Ministry of Culture, as was philanthropist and collector Maryvonne Pinault, the wife of luxury chief François Pinault.
—Lily Templeton, WWD, 18 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for patronage 
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Simon Perry, People.com, 30 Jan. 2025
The Trump administration wants the firings challenged to get the Supreme Court to hold that the president can fire anyone within the executive branch, stripping civil servants of protections fundamentally designed to fight patronage and graft.
—Noah Feldman, Twin Cities, 30 Jan. 2025
Costly and complex overhaul Macron said that a new entrance for the Louvre will be created near the Seine by 2031, to be financed by ticket sales, patronage and licensing money from the museum’s Abu Dhabi branch.
—Sylvie Corbet, Chicago Tribune, 28 Jan. 2025
Jean-Paul Claverie, an adviser to business titan Bernard Arnault and director of patronage for the French luxury conglomerate, was elevated to commander on the list of the French Ministry of Culture, as was philanthropist and collector Maryvonne Pinault, the wife of luxury chief François Pinault.
—Lily Templeton, WWD, 18 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for patronage
Dictionary Entries Near patronage
Cite this Entry
“Patronage.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/patronage. Accessed 16 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
patronage
noun
pa·tron·age
ˈpa-trə-nij
ˈpā-
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
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