Definition of "patronage" []

• The support or encouragement of a patron, as for an institution or cause. (noun)
• Support or encouragement proffered in a condescending manner: Our little establishment has finally been deemed worthy of the bank's patronage. (noun)
• The trade given to a commercial establishment by its customers: Shopkeepers thanked Christmas shoppers for their patronage. (noun)
• Customers or patrons considered as a group; clientele: The grand old hotel has a loyal but demanding patronage. (noun)
• The power to distribute or appoint people to governmental or political positions. (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.

• "The engineer was asked whether by the word patronage he meant money, and after a little laughing and a few counter questions, he admitted that, in his estimation, patronage and money did mean the same thing."
• "Naming an African-American AG and giving a few women cabinet positions is not what I call a patronage plan."
• "I feel like if society in general and fans and audiences and artists can all kind of come to an agreement that patronage is a really viable system, that's going to solve a lot of the problems."