Added 9 October 2026
patronage
/ˈpeɪtɹənɪd͡ʒ/ noun
noun Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about patronage at Wordnik → Where our words come from →
-
The act of providing approval and support; backing; championship.
His vigorous patronage of the conservatives got him in trouble with progressives.
-
Customers collectively; clientele; business.
The restaurant had an upper-class patronage.
-
The act or state of being a customer of some business.
The restaurant had "Thank you for your patronage!" printed on its take-out bags.
verb
Origin
From Middle English patronage, from Old French patronage (modern French patronage). Equivalent to patron + -age. Piecewise doublet of patternage.
From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)