patronages

Noun

patronage (countable and uncountable, plural patronages)

1. The act of providing approval and support; backing; championship.
   • His vigorous patronage of the conservatives got him in trouble with progressives.
2. Customers collectively; clientele; business.
   • The restaurant had an upper-class patronage.
3. The act or state of being a customer of some business.
   • The restaurant had "Thank you for your patronage!" printed on its take-out bags.
4. A communication that indicates lack of respect by patronizing the recipient; condescension; disdain.
5. Granting favours or giving contracts or making appointments to office in return for political support.
   • Patronage, nepotism, cronyism, abuse of power, and criminal activity flourish, sometimes for decades, in numerous town halls, police stations, and special-purpose government agencies in the suburbs.2015, Thomas J. Gradel, Dick Simpson, Corrupt Illinois: Patronage, Cronyism, and Criminality, University of Illinois Press, →ISBN, page 117
6. Guardianship, as of a saint; tutelary care.
   • Each of the Arts whose office is to refine, purify, adorn, embellish and grace life is under the patronage of a Muse, no god being found worthy to preside over them.1864, Eliza Farnham, Woman and Her Era

See all 11 meanings of patronage