patronage
gb/pˈeɪtɹənɪd͡ʒ/ us/pˈeɪtɹənɪd͡ʒ/
B2
English
~ 7700
forgalom, vásárlói támogatás, pártfogás, mecenatúra, védnökség, politikai klientelizmus, politikai protekció, zsákmányrendszer, politikai zsákmány, klientúraépítő juttatás, politikai jutalom, oltalom
NOUN
B2
1
forgalom
B1
Usage pattern:
the patronage of [customers / group]
The café depends on the patronage of office workers in the area.
A kávézó forgalma nagyban függ a környékbeli irodai dolgozóktól.
We appreciate your continued patronage over the last ten years.
Köszönjük, hogy az elmúlt tíz évben folyamatosan minket választottak.
The new marketing campaign is designed to increase customer patronage.
The small bookstore survives thanks to the loyal patronage of local readers.
Rising prices have led to a sharp drop in passenger patronage on the train line.
Learner examples
Thank you for your patronage, and please visit us again.
Köszönjük, hogy minket választott, és várjuk vissza.
The restaurant lost a lot of patronage after it raised its prices.
Az étterem sok vendéget vesztett, miután megemelte az árait.
The shop needs more patronage to stay open.
Her online store enjoys strong patronage from international customers.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes think 'patronage' means 'being kind in a superior way' because of the similar word 'patronizing'. In business contexts, 'patronage' only refers to customer support or trade. It is usually uncountable, so we normally say 'a lot of patronage', not 'many patronages'.
Meaning
financial support from customers
Collocations
customer patronage
|local patronage
|declining patronage
|strong patronage
|lose patronage
|thanks for your patronage
Synonyms
custom (Common in British English for the regular business that customers bring to a shop or service.)
|
business (Informal and broader; often used to mean the trade or sales a company gets from customers.)
Antonyms
boycott (Customers actively avoid buying from a business instead of supporting it.)
|
lack of business (Describes a situation where a company has very little or no customer support.)
Themes
business
|commerce
|daily life
|finance
Definition
Money and support that customers give to a business by buying its products or services.
The support a business or organization receives from its customers, especially measured in how often they buy its products or services.
NOUN
C1
FORMAL
2
Usage pattern:
the patronage of [a person / an organization]
The museum survives largely through the patronage of private donors.
A múzeum fennmaradása nagyrészt magánadományozók pártfogásának köszönhető.
The festival is held under the patronage of the city council and several major companies.
A fesztivált a városi önkormányzat és több nagyvállalat védnöksége alatt rendezik meg.
Renaissance artists often relied on the patronage of wealthy families to fund their work.
Without state patronage, many cultural institutions would struggle to operate.
Corporate patronage has become an important source of funding for the arts.
Learner examples
The young painter found a rich patronage that paid for her studio.
A fiatal festő gazdag pártfogóra talált, aki fedezte a műterme költségeit.
The school grows thanks to the patronage of local businesses.
Az iskola a helyi vállalkozások támogatásának köszönhetően fejlődik.
The music program is under the patronage of a famous singer.
Many writers in history needed the patronage of kings or nobles.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse this meaning with ordinary customer support. Here, 'patronage' usually involves a special, often long‑term support relationship from a powerful person or institution, not just normal buying and selling.
Meaning
financial backing by a patron
Collocations
arts patronage
|corporate patronage
|royal patronage
|under the patronage of
|patronage system
|secure patronage
Synonyms
sponsorship (Very close in meaning, but often more commercial or public, for example in sports or events.)
|
backing (General word for support; less formal and not always financial.)
Antonyms
withdrawal of support (Describes ending or taking away previously given patronage.)
|
neglect (Lack of attention or support where it might be expected or needed.)
Themes
arts
|business
|society
|education
|arts_entertainment
Definition
Money and help that a rich or important person or group gives to someone or something, often in art, culture, or charity.
The financial or practical support given by a wealthy or influential person or organization to an individual, group, or activity, especially in the arts, education, or charity.
NOUN
C2
FORMAL
3
Usage pattern:
political patronage in [an institution / a country]
The new government promised to end political patronage in public sector appointments.
Az új kormány megígérte, hogy véget vet a politikai klientelizmusnak a közszférabeli kinevezéseknél.
Critics say the agency has become a vehicle for patronage jobs and corruption.
A bírálók szerint a hivatal a politikai alapon osztogatott állások és a korrupció eszközévé vált.
Patronage networks helped the leader stay in power for decades.
He used his position to dispense patronage to loyal supporters across the country.
The report called for reforms to reduce the influence of patronage in the civil service.
Learner examples
The mayor was accused of using patronage to reward his friends.
A polgármestert azzal vádolták, hogy protekcióval jutalmazta a barátait.
Many people got government jobs through patronage, not through exams.
Sokan protekcióval jutottak állami álláshoz, nem vizsgák útján.
A system of patronage can make a country more corrupt.
They want to replace patronage with fair hiring rules.
Common mistake:
Learners may not realize that this meaning of 'patronage' is usually negative or critical. It often suggests corruption, unfairness, or misuse of power, not simple or neutral support.
Meaning
power to give political favors
Collocations
political patronage
|patronage system
|patronage appointments
|patronage jobs
|patronage network
|dispense patronage
Synonyms
favoritism (General word for unfair preference; 'patronage' usually implies a structured political system of favors.)
|
clientelism (Technical political-science term for systems based on exchanging favors for support.)
Antonyms
meritocracy (A system where people are chosen for jobs and rewards based on ability rather than connections.)
|
open competition (Hiring or awarding contracts through fair, transparent processes instead of personal favors.)
Themes
politics
|society
|work
Definition
In politics, the power to give jobs and benefits to loyal people, instead of choosing the best person fairly.
The power or practice, especially in politics, of giving jobs, contracts, or other advantages to supporters, friends, or allies instead of choosing people on merit.
NOUN
C2
FORMAL
4
Usage pattern:
to hand out patronage to [supporters / allies]
Control of lucrative state contracts provided a steady stream of patronage for the ruling party.
A jövedelmező állami szerződések feletti ellenőrzés állandó politikai zsákmányforrást jelentett a kormánypárt számára.
He used public funds as a pool of patronage to keep his allies loyal.
A közpénzeket politikai jutalmak forrásaként használta, hogy maga mellett tartsa a szövetségeseit.
The mayor denied that council seats were being treated as political patronage.
Access to patronage allowed party leaders to build strong local machines.
Journalists uncovered a network of patronage linking business interests and senior officials.
Learner examples
Leaders sometimes use public money as patronage for their friends.
A vezetők néha közpénzből osztogatnak politikai jutalmakat a barátaiknak.
The new boss said he would not give out patronage to party members.
Az új vezető azt mondta, hogy nem fog politikai jutalmakat osztogatni a párttagoknak.
Patronage in the company included well-paid jobs and travel.
The contract was seen as political patronage, not a fair deal.
Common mistake:
Learners may not see that this sense refers to the actual jobs and benefits, not the power to give them. If you talk about 'using patronage' or 'handing out patronage', you usually mean giving specific favors like jobs or contracts.
Meaning
jobs and favors as rewards
Collocations
hand out patronage
|distribute patronage
|reward with patronage
|a source of patronage
|control of patronage
|patronage and perks
Synonyms
spoils (Used in phrases like 'spoils system'; suggests benefits taken or shared out after gaining power.)
Antonyms
earned position (A job or benefit gained through one’s own work or ability, not as a reward for loyalty.)
Themes
politics
|work
|society
|business
Definition
The jobs and benefits that leaders give to loyal people as rewards, especially in politics.
The jobs, contracts, money, or other benefits that are given out as rewards for personal or political loyalty, especially within a patronage system.
NOUN
C1
FORMAL
5
Usage pattern:
under the patronage of [a saint / holy figure]
The town is said to be under the patronage of Saint Nicholas.
Azt tartják, hogy a város Szent Miklós oltalma alatt áll.
Medieval guilds often placed themselves under the patronage of a particular saint.
A középkori céhek gyakran egy-egy szent pártfogása alá helyezték magukat.
Pilgrims came to the shrine seeking the patronage and intercession of the Virgin Mary.
The order was founded under the patronage of the holy martyr.
Many churches in Europe were built in honor of the patronage of local saints.
Learner examples
The church is under the patronage of Saint Peter.
A templom Szent Péter védnöksége alatt áll.
People prayed for the patronage of their favorite saint.
Az emberek kedvelt szentjük pártfogásáért imádkoztak.
The group placed itself under the patronage of the Virgin Mary.
The king asked for the patronage of heaven in his wars.
Meaning
religious protection by a saint
Collocations
under the patronage of Saint [Name]
|the patronage of the Virgin Mary
|heavenly patronage
|spiritual patronage
|patronage of the church
|patronage of the holy martyr
Synonyms
protection (General word; does not include the religious or spiritual sense contained in 'patronage'.)
Antonyms
abandonment (Suggests being left without care or protection, the opposite of being under a patron’s care.)
Themes
religion
|culture
Definition
In religion, the special help and protection that a saint is believed to give to certain people, places, or groups.
In religious contexts, the special protection, care, or support believed to be given by a saint or holy figure to a person, group, or place.
Grammar
Dictionary form
patronage
IPA
GB/pˈeɪtɹənɪd͡ʒ/
US/pˈeɪtɹənɪd͡ʒ/
Syllables & stress
pat - ron - age (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (pat)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: patronage
- Plural: patronage
Word family
Related words
patronizing
adjective C1
patronizingly
adverb C1
Expressions
arts patronage
1/ˈɑɹts pˈeɪtɹənɪd͡ʒ/
fixed phrase
formal
financial support for the arts
Money and help that people or organizations give to artists, museums, theaters, and other cultural activities.
Examples
- Corporate arts patronage has increased in the last decade.
- The city has a long tradition of arts patronage by wealthy families.
- Without arts patronage, many small theaters would close.
corporate patronage
1/kˈɔɹpɚɪt pˈeɪtɹənɪd͡ʒ/
fixed phrase
formal
support from businesses
Money and help that companies give to events, charities, or cultural groups.
Examples
- The festival relies heavily on corporate patronage.
- Corporate patronage has helped many museums keep their doors open.
- Some people worry that corporate patronage gives businesses too much influence over the arts.
political patronage
1/pəlˈɪtɪkəl pˈeɪtɹənɪd͡ʒ/
fixed phrase
formal
giving jobs to political allies
The practice of giving government jobs and benefits to people who support a political leader or party, instead of choosing people fairly.
Examples
- The new law is meant to limit political patronage in public offices.
- He built his career on a system of political patronage and personal loyalty.
- Many voters are tired of political patronage and want more transparent hiring.
royal patronage
1/ɹˈɔɪəl pˈeɪtɹənɪd͡ʒ/
fixed phrase
formal
support from a royal family
Official support or approval that a king, queen, or royal family gives to an event, group, or project.
Examples
- The charity enjoys royal patronage from the Queen.
- Winning royal patronage brought attention and donations to the organization.
- In the past, royal patronage was essential for many artists and scientists.
system of patronage
1/sˈɪstəm əv pˈeɪtɹənɪd͡ʒ/
fixed phrase
formal
organized patronage structure
A way of running an organization or government where jobs and benefits are regularly given as rewards for loyalty or support.
Examples
- The report describes a deeply rooted system of patronage within the ministry.
- Reforms aim to replace the system of patronage with open competition for jobs.
- A system of patronage can weaken trust in public institutions.
thanks for your patronage
1/θˈæŋks fɚ jˈʊɹ pˈeɪtɹənɪd͡ʒ/
fixed phrase
polite thanks to customers
A polite sentence that a business uses to say thank you to its customers for buying from them.
Examples
- Thanks for your patronage, and we hope to see you again soon.
- The receipt ended with the message, "Thank you for your patronage."
- The sign on the door read, "Closed for renovation. Thank you for your patronage."
under the patronage of
1/ˈʌndɚ ðə pˈeɪtɹənɪd͡ʒ əv/
fixed phrase
formal
officially supported by someone
Used to say that an event, group, or project is officially supported or protected by an important person or organization.
Examples
- The concert series is held under the patronage of the city’s mayor.
- The charity operates under the patronage of several well‑known actors.
- The exhibition took place under the patronage of the royal family.