patronage Meaning, Definition & Usage

noun the act of providing approval and support
backing; championship; backup.
- his vigorous backing of the conservatives got him in trouble with progressives
noun customers collectively
clientele; business.
- they have an upper class clientele
noun a communication that indicates lack of respect by patronizing the recipient
condescension; disdain.
noun (politics) granting favors or giving contracts or making appointments to office in return for political support
noun the business given to a commercial establishment by its customers
trade.
- even before noon there was a considerable patronage
verb support by being a patron of
verb be a regular customer or client of
support; patronise; keep going; patronize.
- We patronize this store
- Our sponsor kept our art studio going for as long as he could

F. patronage. Cf. LL. patronaticum, and L. patronatus.

Special countenance or support; favor, encouragement, or aid, afforded to a person or a work; as, the patronage of letters; patronage given to an author.
Business custom. Commercial Cant
Guardianship, as of a saint; tutelary care. Addison.
The right of nomination to political office; also, the offices, contracts, honors, etc., which a public officer may bestow by favor.
(Eng. Law) The right of presentation to church or ecclesiastical benefice; advowson. Blackstone.