patroness

noun

pa·​tron·​ess ˈpā-trə-nəs How to pronounce patroness (audio)
: a woman who is a patron

Examples of patroness in a Sentence

a patroness of the arts
Recent Examples on the Web Whitney Biennial 2024: Even Better Than the Real Thing Whitney Museum of American Art If another great American patroness with a namesake museum, Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney, had it her way her legacy would be her own sculptures. Julie Belcove, Robb Report, 24 Feb. 2024 Brigid later became popular in Irish Christian tradition as Saint Brigid, the patroness saint of Ireland. Jenna Prestininzi, Detroit Free Press, 26 Jan. 2024 On view are shell necklaces worn by Woolf and Bell, original sketches by Grant, and a silk Mariano Fortuny dress that once belonged to the patroness Lady Ottoline Morrell. Liam Hess, Vogue, 10 Oct. 2023 Beyoncé, 42, has figured out how to adjust her voice (her characteristic growl floats in falsetto) and adjust her body language (more benevolent, like a gilded patroness) to abstract the object and subject of the song. Jenna Wortham, New York Times, 27 Sep. 2023 Local officials said the icon of the patroness of the city was retrieved from under the rubble. Compiled By Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, Arkansas Online, 24 July 2023 Local officials said that the icon of the patroness of the city had been retrieved from under the rubble. Hanna Arhirova, BostonGlobe.com, 23 July 2023 Local officials said that the icon of the patroness of the city was retrieved from under the rubble. Hanna Arhirova and Elise Morton, Chicago Tribune, 23 July 2023 Ukrainian officials said the icon of the patroness of the city had been retrieved from under the rubble. Heather Chen, CNN, 23 July 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'patroness.' 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

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of patroness was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near patroness

Cite this Entry

“Patroness.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/patroness. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

patroness

noun
pa·​tron·​ess ˈpā-trə-nəs How to pronounce patroness (audio)
: a woman who is a patron: as
a
: a woman chosen as a special guardian or supporter
b
: a woman who gives generous support or approval

More from Merriam-Webster on patroness

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