/ ˈpætrənɪdʒ; NAmE ; ˈpeɪt-/ noun [ U ]
1.
the support, especially financial, that is given to a person or an organization by a patron :
Patronage of the arts comes from businesses and private individuals.
2.
the system by which an important person gives help or a job to sb in return for their support
3.
( especially NAmE ) the support that a person gives a shop / store, restaurant, etc. by spending money there
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WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English : from Old French , from patron protector, advocate, from Latin patronus protector of clients, defender, from pater , patr- father.