WordWeb Online

1. The act of providing approval and support
   "his vigorous patronage of the conservatives got him in trouble with progressives";
   - backing, backup, championship
    
2. Customers collectively
   "they have an upper class patronage";
   - clientele, business
    
3. A communication that indicates lack of respect by patronizing the recipient
   - condescension, disdain
    
4. (politics) granting favours or giving contracts or making appointments to office in return for political support
    
5. The business given to a commercial establishment by its customers
   "even before noon there was a considerable patronage";
   - trade

1. Support by being a patron of
    
2. Be a regular customer or client of
   - patronize, patronise [Brit], support, keep going

Derived forms: patronaged, patronages, patronaging

Type of: approval, approving, blessing, business, depreciation, derogation, disparagement, foster, keep, maintain, nurture, people, social control, sustain

Encyclopedia: Patronage