patron Definition

patron
noun

1. Someone who gives financial support and encouragement eg to an artist, the arts, a movement or charity.

Example: a patron of the arts
Thesaurus: supporter, benefactor, advocate, helper, sponsor, philanthropist, defender, protector.
2. A regular customer of a shop, attender at a theatre, etc.

Thesaurus: client, customer, frequenter, regular, subscriber.
3. C of E.
Someone who has the right to appoint to any office, especially to a living in the church.
4. A patron saint.

Derivative: patronal
adj

Derivative: patronly
adverb

Etymology: 14c in the sense ‘protector': from Latin patronus protector.