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patronage

UK/ˈpeɪtɹənɪd͡ʒ/US/ˈpeɪtɹənɪd͡ʒ/
nounC1Occasional — familiar, but not everyday · #11,475 of 15,258mostly written

Patronage is support given by a wealthy backer, or the giving of favours. Royal patronage, under the patronage of, political patronage.

In the arts it is how nearly everything was paid for before ticket sales and grants, and most Renaissance painting exists because of it. In politics it is the handing out of jobs to supporters, which is a criticism.

Definitions of patronage

  1. 1nounpatronageSupport given by a wealthy backer, or the giving of favours.C1

    “The young painter depended on the patronage of a rich duke.”

patronage is a support.

Where it comes from

Old French patronage comes from patron, a protector, from Latin pater, father.

  1. Old French

    patronage

  2. Middle English

    patronage

  3. English, today

    patronage

From Middle English patronage, from Old French patronage (modern French patronage). Equivalent to patron + age. patternage.

Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA

Practise this word

patronage in the wild

  • The word patron derives from the Latin patronus ('patron'), one who gives benefits to his clients (see patronage in ancient Rome).

    Patronage

  • In some countries, the term is used to describe political patronage or patronal politics, which is the use of state resources to reward individuals for their electoral support.

    Patronage

  • Also, patronage is typically granted to athletic, artistic, cultural, or charitable organizations; rarely to corporate or for-profit companies.

    List of Canadian organizations with royal patronage

  • The organization is founded under the royal patronage of the King of Thailand, and qualifies as a charitable entity pursuant to a Thai Ministry of Finance declaration.

    Radio Amateur Society of Thailand

  • The Jordan Premier League first kicked off with Al-Faisaly Club winning the inaugural event held under the patronage of King Abdullah I.

    1944 Jordan League

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From Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. These sentences were written by other people about their own subjects; they are here to show the word at work, not as anybody’s opinion.

Related words

  • patron
  • patronize