definition of
patronage

[1] #1 patronage n. [backing, backup, championship] the act of providing approval and support; "his vigorous backing of the conservatives got him in trouble with progressives". wn

[2] #2 patronage v. support by being a patron of. wn

[3] #3 patronage n. [clientele, business] customers collectively; "they have an upper class clientele". wn

[4] #4 patronage v. [patronize, patronise, support, keep going] be a regular customer or client of; "We patronize this store"; "Our sponsor kept our art studio going for as long as he could". wn

[5] #5 patronage n. [condescension, disdain] a communication that indicates lack of respect by patronizing the recipient. wn