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 of patronage

• 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

This week’s missile barrage also made for good PR, especially in Lebanon, where the government has moved to stop Iran’s patronage of Hezbollah and limit its influence on the country’s affairs. —Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 10 June 2026

In her account, Richmond indeed emerges as its progenitor—through his theorizing, his behind-the-scenes parliamentary and polemical maneuvering, and his patronage of Thomas Paine. —Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 8 June 2026

The group emerged, with Iranian patronage, from the 1982 Israeli occupation of Beirut. —Mick Krever, CNN Money, 6 June 2026

On the left, a female South Park figure in Renaissance Dutch dress delivers a monologue on artistic patronage pulled from pulp-fiction reviews, art history texts, and books of poetry. —Theo Belci, Artforum, 2 June 2026

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