patronage
noun
pa·tron·age
ˈpa-trə-nij 
ˈpā-
ˈpā-
1
: advowson
2
: the support or influence of a patron
the patronage of science by universities
3
: kindness done with an air of superiority
The prince deigned to bestow his patronage on the composer.
4
: business or activity provided by patrons
the new branch library is expected to have a heavy patronage
5
a
: the power to make appointments to government jobs especially for political advantage
… oust his enemies from office and use the patronage to support his policies …—
H. K. Beale
H. K. Beale
b
: the distribution of jobs on the basis of patronage
The governor filled the vacated positions through patronage.
c
: jobs distributed by patronage
the government's vast network of patronage
Examples of patronage in a Sentence
The college relied on the patronage of its wealthy graduates to expand its funds.
They thanked her for her patronage of the new hospital.
The city should do more to encourage patronage of local businesses.
a system of political patronage
Recent Examples on the Web
Prior to this, in 2022, his mother – the late Queen Elizabeth II – revoked her second son's military associations and royal patronages in the wake of Giuffre's September 2021 lawsuit, which was later settled for an undisclosed sum.
—James Powel, USA Today, 12 Feb. 2026
Nepotism and patronage ran rampant.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 7 Feb. 2026
Gurus can deliver millions of devoted followers as a consolidated vote bank, and in return politicians may provide a shield of patronage, according to Ronki Ram, a professor at the Institute for Development and Communication in Chandigarh, who has researched Singh and the Dera Sacha Sauda.
—Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 6 Feb. 2026
Although the movie indicated that, sadly, little in Congress has changed — the same bickering and same patronage — our world has changed.
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 6 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for patronage
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James Powel, USA Today, 12 Feb. 2026
Nepotism and patronage ran rampant.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 7 Feb. 2026
Gurus can deliver millions of devoted followers as a consolidated vote bank, and in return politicians may provide a shield of patronage, according to Ronki Ram, a professor at the Institute for Development and Communication in Chandigarh, who has researched Singh and the Dera Sacha Sauda.
—Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 6 Feb. 2026
Although the movie indicated that, sadly, little in Congress has changed — the same bickering and same patronage — our world has changed.
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 6 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for patronage
Cite this Entry
“Patronage.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/patronage. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
patronage
noun
pa·tron·age
ˈpa-trə-nij
ˈpā-
ˈpā-
1
: the support or influence of a patron
2
: business or activity provided by patrons
3
: the power to give out government jobs, contracts, or favors
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