Definition of "patron" []

• One that supports, protects, or champions someone or something, such as an institution, event, or cause; a sponsor or benefactor: a patron of the arts. (noun)
• A customer, especially a regular customer. (noun)
• The owner or manager of an establishment, especially a restaurant or an inn of France or Spain. (noun)
• A noble or wealthy person in ancient Rome who granted favor and protection to someone in exchange for certain services. (noun)
• A slave owner in ancient Rome who freed a slave without relinquishing all legal claim to him. (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.

• "Cleopatra _Cleopatra_ compatriot _compatriot_ gratis _gratis_ or _grahtis_ harem _harem_ or _hahrem_ heinous _hanous_ hiatus _hiatus_ implacable _implakable_ nape _nap_ née _na_ négligé _naglezha'_ patron _patron_ protégé _protazha'_ résumé _razuma'_ tenacious _tenashus_ tomato _tomato_ or _tomahto_ valet _va'la_ or _val'et_ vase _vas, vahz_, or _vaz_ veracious _verashus_ vivacious _vivashus_"
• "He is also the title patron of Cracow, Coburg, Lauenberg, and Savoy."
• "Chris Travers says: dr. bilbo: Does Mr. Somin believe that it should be legal for a private restaurant owner to refuse service to a potential patron because the patron is an African American?"