plural patrons
1
a
: a person chosen, named, or honored as a special guardian, protector, or supporter
a patron of the arts
b
: a wealthy or influential supporter of an artist or writer
… the unspoken contract between artist and patron …—
D. D. R. Owen
D. D. R. Owen
c
: a social or financial sponsor of a social function (such as a ball or concert)
a patron of the annual masked ball
2
: one that uses wealth or influence to help an individual, an institution, or a cause
a patron of the city library
3
: one who buys the goods or uses the services offered especially by an establishment
a restaurant's patrons
4
: the holder of the right of presentation to an English ecclesiastical benefice
5
: a master (see master entry 1 sense 2g) in ancient times who freed a person he had held in slavery but retained some rights over that person
6
[French, from Middle French]
: the proprietor of an establishment (such as an inn) especially in France
7
: the chief male officer in some fraternal lodges having both men and women members
Examples of patron in a Sentence
She is a well-known patron of the arts.
the wealthy philanthropist is one of the city's most generous patrons of its symphony orchestra
Recent Examples on the Web
Among them: Did Wood continue to fire his weapon after shooting Castellanos, striking one of the bar patrons?
—Charles Rabin and, Miami Herald, 6 Mar. 2025
But according to countless home bakers and thousands of patrons of the Barefoot Contessa store in the Hamptons, the search can stop at Ina Garten’s Outrageous Brownies.
—Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Mar. 2025
But Fitch argued Cineplex along with its industry peers has yet to consistently return to pre-pandemic cinema attendance levels in 2019, and, with the prospect of future industry disruptions, gains from higher ticket prices and concessions per patron can be offset by higher operating costs.
—Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Mar. 2025
In this case, with all of the bar patrons standing outside, nobody called the police or helped the victim.
—Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 3 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for patron
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Charles Rabin and, Miami Herald, 6 Mar. 2025
But according to countless home bakers and thousands of patrons of the Barefoot Contessa store in the Hamptons, the search can stop at Ina Garten’s Outrageous Brownies.
—Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Mar. 2025
But Fitch argued Cineplex along with its industry peers has yet to consistently return to pre-pandemic cinema attendance levels in 2019, and, with the prospect of future industry disruptions, gains from higher ticket prices and concessions per patron can be offset by higher operating costs.
—Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Mar. 2025
In this case, with all of the bar patrons standing outside, nobody called the police or helped the victim.
—Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 3 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for patron
Cite this Entry
“Patron.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/patron. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
patron
noun
pa·tron
ˈpā-trən 
1
: a person chosen as a special guardian or supporter
a patron of poets
2
: one who gives generous support or approval
a patron of the arts
3
: a person who buys the goods or uses the services offered (as by a business)
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