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Definition of "patroness" [pa•tron•ess]

  • A woman who supports, protects, or champions someone or something, such as an institution, event, or cause; a sponsor or benefactor. (noun)
  • A woman who possesses the right to grant an ecclesiastical benefice to a member of the clergy. (noun)
  • A patron saint. See Usage Note at -ess. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Use "patroness" in a sentence
  • "Eustace smiled meekly, but answered somewhat venomously nevertheless — “I, at least, am certain that I speak the truth, when I call my patroness a virgin undefiled.”"
  • ""I, at least, am certain that I speak the truth, when I call my patroness a virgin undefiled.""
  • "I agree that the patroness was a little too convenient and failed to show any actual persuasion on the part of Caffrey, but it was an easy fix that we all knew was coming."