patronage

(noun, verb)

noun

1. the act of providing approval and support

Similar word(s): backing, backup, championship

Definition categories: act, approval, approving, blessing

2. customers collectively

Similar word(s): business, clientele

Definition categories: group, people

3. a communication that indicates lack of respect by patronizing the recipient

Similar word(s): condescension, disdain

Definition categories: communication, depreciation, derogation, disparagement

4. (politics) granting favors or giving contracts or making appointments to office in return for political support

Definition categories: act

5. the business given to a commercial establishment by its customers

- even before noon there was a considerable patronage

Similar word(s): trade

Definition categories: act, business

Sentences with patronage as a noun:

- His vigorous patronage of the conservatives got him in trouble with progressives.

- The restaurant had an upper class patronage.

verb

1. support by being a patron of

Definition categories: consumption, keep, maintain, sustain

2. be a regular customer or client of

- We patronize this store

Similar word(s): patronise, patronize, support

Definition categories: communication, foster, nurture