patronage
financial support from customers
Money and support that customers give to a business by buying its products or services.
the patronage of [customers / group]
- The café depends on the patronage of office workers in the area.
- We appreciate your continued patronage over the last ten years.
- 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.
- Thank you for your patronage, and please visit us again.
- The restaurant lost a lot of patronage after it raised its prices.
- The shop needs more patronage to stay open.
- Her online store enjoys strong patronage from international customers.
financial backing by a patron
Money and help that a rich or important person or group gives to someone or something, often in art, culture, or charity.
the patronage of [a person / an organization]
- The museum survives largely through the patronage of private donors.
- The festival is held under the patronage of the city council and several major companies.
- 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.
- The young painter found a rich patronage that paid for her studio.
- The school grows thanks to the patronage of local businesses.
- The music program is under the patronage of a famous singer.
- Many writers in history needed the patronage of kings or nobles.
power to give political favors
In politics, the power to give jobs and benefits to loyal people, instead of choosing the best person fairly.
political patronage in [an institution / a country]
- The new government promised to end political patronage in public sector appointments.
- Critics say the agency has become a vehicle for patronage jobs and corruption.
- 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.
- The mayor was accused of using patronage to reward his friends.
- Many people got government jobs through patronage, not through exams.
- A system of patronage can make a country more corrupt.
- They want to replace patronage with fair hiring rules.
jobs and favors as rewards
The jobs and benefits that leaders give to loyal people as rewards, especially in politics.
to hand out patronage to [supporters / allies]
- Control of lucrative state contracts provided a steady stream of patronage for the ruling party.
- He used public funds as a pool of patronage to keep his allies loyal.
- 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.
- Leaders sometimes use public money as patronage for their friends.
- The new boss said he would not give out patronage to party members.
- Patronage in the company included well-paid jobs and travel.
- The contract was seen as political patronage, not a fair deal.
religious protection by a saint
In religion, the special help and protection that a saint is believed to give to certain people, places, or groups.
under the patronage of [a saint / holy figure]
- The town is said to be under the patronage of Saint Nicholas.
- Medieval guilds often placed themselves under the patronage of a particular saint.
- 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.
- The church is under the patronage of Saint Peter.
- People prayed for the patronage of their favorite saint.
- The group placed itself under the patronage of the Virgin Mary.
- The king asked for the patronage of heaven in his wars.
- Base: patronage
- Plural: patronage
arts patronage
1financial support for the arts
Money and help that people or organizations give to artists, museums, theaters, and other cultural activities.
- 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
1support from businesses
Money and help that companies give to events, charities, or cultural groups.
- 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
1giving 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.
- 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
1support from a royal family
Official support or approval that a king, queen, or royal family gives to an event, group, or project.
- 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
1organized patronage structure
A way of running an organization or government where jobs and benefits are regularly given as rewards for loyalty or support.
- 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
1polite thanks to customers
A polite sentence that a business uses to say thank you to its customers for buying from them.
- 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
1officially supported by someone
Used to say that an event, group, or project is officially supported or protected by an important person or organization.
- 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.