patron saint
noun
1
: a saint to whose protection and intercession a person, a society, a church, or a place is dedicated
2
: an original leader or prime exemplar
Examples of patron saint in a Sentence
St. David is the patron saint of Wales.
St. Christopher is the patron saint of travelers.
The success of her books has made her the patron saint of a new literary movement.
Recent Examples on the Web
After arriving by train in Cardiff, the royal couple made their way to Pontypridd, about 12 miles northwest, for a visit ahead of St. David’s Day, which celebrates the patron saint of Wales on March 1.
—
Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 27 Feb. 2025
Some believe the holiday takes place in February to honor the anniversary of the death of St. Valentine, the patron saint of lovers, people with epilepsy, and beekeepers, according to Britannica.
—Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 14 Feb. 2025
Men from the houses eventually adopted a parallel tradition in honor of St. Nicholas, another patron saint of many, including those looking to wed, who once purportedly paid the dowries for three unmarried sisters by secretly tossing gold into their father’s home.
—Jessica Testa, New York Times, 13 Feb. 2025
The royal attended the Ceremony Of The Sainte-Devote, which honors the patron saint of The Principality Of Monaco and France’s Mediterranean Corsica island.
—Julia Teti, WWD, 29 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for patron saint
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Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 27 Feb. 2025
Some believe the holiday takes place in February to honor the anniversary of the death of St. Valentine, the patron saint of lovers, people with epilepsy, and beekeepers, according to Britannica.
—Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 14 Feb. 2025
Men from the houses eventually adopted a parallel tradition in honor of St. Nicholas, another patron saint of many, including those looking to wed, who once purportedly paid the dowries for three unmarried sisters by secretly tossing gold into their father’s home.
—Jessica Testa, New York Times, 13 Feb. 2025
The royal attended the Ceremony Of The Sainte-Devote, which honors the patron saint of The Principality Of Monaco and France’s Mediterranean Corsica island.
—Julia Teti, WWD, 29 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for patron saint
Cite this Entry
“Patron saint.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/patron%20saint. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.
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