patron

The word “patron” means a person, often wealthy or influential, who financially supports an artist, cause, or institution. In plain terms, someone who supports something financially (a patron of the arts), or a regular customer.

“Patron” is pronounced PAY-truhn (/ˈpeɪ.tɹən/ in IPA).

Here is “patron” used in a sentence: “The museum's new wing was funded by a single generous patron.”

“Patron” is a noun.

The word “patron” comes from Latin. From Latin patrōnus, derived from pater ("father") — the same root that gives us pattern and patroon.

“Patron” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.

“Patron” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a person, often wealthy or influential, who financially supports an artist, cause, or institution.

Patron often implies a regular or valued customer of a shop, restaurant, or other business, suggesting an ongoing relationship, while customer is a more general, neutral term for anyone making a purchase. Patron can sound slightly more formal or old-fashioned than customer.

A patron is a person, often wealthy or influential, who financially supports an artist, cause, or institution, sometimes over a long-term relationship. A sponsor typically provides more specific, often commercial, financial backing, such as funding an event or team in exchange for promotion.

In "patron saint," patron refers to a protector or guardian figure associated with a particular place, activity, or group, extending the general sense of a supporter or benefactor into a religious context.