noun business custom.
2. patronage ·noun guardianship, as of a saint; tutelary care.
3. patronage ·noun the right of presentation to church or ecclesiastical benefice; advowson.
4. patronage ·vt to act as a patron of; to maintain; to defend.
5. patronage ·noun the right of nomination to political office; also, the offices, contracts, honors, ·etc., which a public officer may bestow by favor.
6. patronage ·noun special countenance or support; favor, encouragement, or aid, afforded to a person or a work; as, the patronage of letters; patronage given to an author.