pat ‧ ron ‧ age /ˈpætrənɪdʒ $ ˈpeɪ-, ˈpæ-/ BrE AmE noun [uncountable]
1 . the support, especially financial support, that is given to an organization or activity by a patron
2 . American English formal the support that you give a particular shop, restaurant etc by buying their goods or using their services SYN custom British English :
Thank you for your patronage.
3 . a system by which someone in a powerful position gives people help or important jobs in return for their support