patron saint
noun
1
: a saint to whose protection and intercession a person, a society, a church, or a place is dedicated
2
: an original leader or prime exemplar
Synonyms
Examples of patron saint in a Sentence
St. David is the patron saint of Wales.
St. Christopher is the patron saint of travelers.
The success of her books has made her the patron saint of a new literary movement.
Recent Examples on the Web
Does the patron saint of political violence have anything to teach us today?
—
Gal Beckerman, The Atlantic, 28 Mar. 2024
For hundreds of years, residents of Valencia, Spain, have celebrated the arrival of spring and paid tribute to San Jose, the patron saint of the carpenters’ guild, by building and then ceremonially burning huge monuments made of wood, cardboard, and paper.
—Alan Taylor, The Atlantic, 20 Mar. 2024
Saint Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland who lived in the fifth century and was born in Roman Britain.
—Anthony Robledo, USA TODAY, 17 Mar. 2024
Inclusion is at the heart of founder Jenny Nguyen’s project, and she’s become somewhat of a patron saint in the women’s sports bar space (and the leader of a popular group chat for current and aspiring women’s sports bar owners).
—Melissa Kravitz Hoeffner, Vogue, 12 Mar. 2024
The celebration, now its 35th year, pays homage and thanks the patron saint of the poor and sick, St. John of God, who the fireworks' producers — a mainstay of the town’s economy — view as a protective figure.
—Fernanda Pesce and Alexis Triboulard, Quartz, 9 Mar. 2024
Prince William is kicking off the weekend in Wales on the feast day for the country’s patron saint.
—Janine Henni, Peoplemag, 1 Mar. 2024
Seeking Fortunes As wildcatters scoured Texas for oil in the 1920s, one hopeful investor christened their well in honor of Saint Rita of Cascia — the patron saint of impossible causes — asking for a miracle.
—Mark Olalde, ProPublica, 22 Feb. 2024
After his death, he was named Ireland’s patron saint.
—Diane J. Cho, Peoplemag, 7 Mar. 2024
Gal Beckerman, The Atlantic, 28 Mar. 2024
For hundreds of years, residents of Valencia, Spain, have celebrated the arrival of spring and paid tribute to San Jose, the patron saint of the carpenters’ guild, by building and then ceremonially burning huge monuments made of wood, cardboard, and paper.
—Alan Taylor, The Atlantic, 20 Mar. 2024
Saint Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland who lived in the fifth century and was born in Roman Britain.
—Anthony Robledo, USA TODAY, 17 Mar. 2024
Inclusion is at the heart of founder Jenny Nguyen’s project, and she’s become somewhat of a patron saint in the women’s sports bar space (and the leader of a popular group chat for current and aspiring women’s sports bar owners).
—Melissa Kravitz Hoeffner, Vogue, 12 Mar. 2024
The celebration, now its 35th year, pays homage and thanks the patron saint of the poor and sick, St. John of God, who the fireworks' producers — a mainstay of the town’s economy — view as a protective figure.
—Fernanda Pesce and Alexis Triboulard, Quartz, 9 Mar. 2024
Prince William is kicking off the weekend in Wales on the feast day for the country’s patron saint.
—Janine Henni, Peoplemag, 1 Mar. 2024
Seeking Fortunes As wildcatters scoured Texas for oil in the 1920s, one hopeful investor christened their well in honor of Saint Rita of Cascia — the patron saint of impossible causes — asking for a miracle.
—Mark Olalde, ProPublica, 22 Feb. 2024
After his death, he was named Ireland’s patron saint.
—Diane J. Cho, Peoplemag, 7 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'patron saint.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1703, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Dictionary Entries Near patron saint
Cite this Entry
“Patron saint.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/patron%20saint. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
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Kids Definition
patron saint
noun
: a saint to whom a person, society, church, or place is dedicated
More from Merriam-Webster on patron saint
Nglish: Translation of patron saint for Spanish Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about patron saint
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