noun
Uncommon
patronage
PAT-ruh-nihj
Patronage (noun) means Financial or other support given by a patron. Example: “The theater survived for decades on the patronage of a few wealthy families.”
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
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Word forms
- Plural
- patronages
- Third person singular
- patronages
- Past tense
- patronaged
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The theater survived for decades on the _____ of a few wealthy families.
Etymology
From Old French patronage, built from patron plus -age.
Related words
Rhymes for patronage
See all rhymes for patronage →Frequently asked questions
What does “patronage” mean?
The word “patronage” means financial or other support given by a patron. In plain terms, support given by a patron — whether that's money for the arts, customer loyalty, or political favors handed out to allies.
How do you pronounce “patronage”?
“Patronage” is pronounced PAT-ruh-nihj (/ˈpeɪtɹənɪd͡ʒ/ in IPA).
How do you use “patronage” in a sentence?
Here is “patronage” used in a sentence: “The theater survived for decades on the patronage of a few wealthy families.”
What part of speech is “patronage”?
“Patronage” is a noun.
Where does the word “patronage” come from?
The word “patronage” comes from Old French. From Old French patronage, built from patron plus -age.
Is “patronage” a common word?
“Patronage” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “patronage” have?
“Patronage” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: financial or other support given by a patron.
