noun
patronage
PAT-ruh-nihj
noun
1
Financial or other support given by a patron.
"The theater survived for decades on the patronage of a few wealthy families."
2
The customers of a business, considered as a group.
"The restaurant thrives on the loyal patronage of locals."
3
The practice of giving jobs or favors to supporters in return for political backing.
"Critics accused the mayor of running the department through patronage rather than merit."
How to Use Patronage
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSupport given by a patron — whether that's money for the arts, customer loyalty, or political favors handed out to allies.
Common pairings
political patronage
thank you for your patronage
system of patronage
Word Forms
patronaged past tense, patronages plural, patronages singular
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The theater survived for decades on the _____ of a few wealthy families.
Etymology
From Old French patronage, built from patron plus -age.