Definition of "patron" in English

noun

1. One who protects or supports; a defender or advocate.

2. An influential, wealthy person who supported an artist, craftsman, a scholar or a noble.

3. A customer, as of a certain store or restaurant.

   • This car park is for patrons only.

4. (historical, Roman law) A protector of a dependent, especially a master who had freed a slave but still retained some paternal rights.

5. (UK, ecclesiastical) One who has gift and disposition of a benefice.

6. (nautical) A padrone.

7. (obsolete or historical) A property owner, a landlord, a master. (Compare patroon.)

verb

1. (transitive, obsolete) To be a patron of; to patronize; to favour.

2. (transitive, obsolete) To treat as a patron.