patron

/ˈpeɪtrən/

/ˈpeɪtrən/

Other forms: patrons

A patron supports someone or something. A patron of a business supports the business by being a loyal customer. A patron of the arts helps support starving artists — financially, not with food rations.

The word patron comes from the Latin pater or patr- meaning "father." Think of how a father is supposed to financially support his kids. A patron of the arts is someone who shows his appreciation or support for the arts by donating money to arts organizations. And a patron of the Red Lobster is a frequent customer who can be seen in the same corner booth every Sunday night, noshing on cheddar biscuits.

Definitions of patron

1. noun

   someone who supports or champions something
   synonyms: sponsor, supporter

   types:

   angel, backer

   invests in a theatrical production

   godfather

   someone having a relation analogous to that of a male sponsor to his godchild

   godparent

   a person who sponsors someone (the godchild) at baptism

   guarantor, surety, warranter, warrantor

   one who promises to pay back a borrower's debt if in the event of a default on a loan

   patroness, patronne

   a woman who is a patron or the wife of a patron

   pillar of strength, tower of strength

   a person who can be relied on to give a great deal of support and comfort

   godfather

   any man who serves as a sponsor for a child at baptism

   godmother

   any woman who serves as a sponsor for a child at baptism

   type of:

   benefactor, helper

   a person who helps people or institutions (especially with financial help)
2. noun

   a regular customer
   synonyms: frequenter

   types:

   operagoer

   a patron of the opera

   fixture, habitue, regular

   a regular patron

   type of:

   client, customer

   someone who pays for goods or services
3. noun

   the proprietor of an inn
   types:

   boniface, host, innkeeper

   the owner or manager of an inn

   hostess

   a woman innkeeper

   padrone

   an owner or proprietor of an inn in Italy

   victualer, victualler

   an innkeeper (especially British)

   type of:

   owner, proprietor

   (law) someone who owns (is legal possessor of) a business