patron: Meaning and Definition of

pa•tron

1. a person who is a customer, client, or paying guest, esp. a regular one, of a store, hotel, or the like.
2. a person who supports with money, gifts, efforts, or endorsement an artist, writer, museum, cause, charity, institution, special event, or the like: a patron of the arts; patrons of the annual Democratic dance.
3. a person whose support or protection is solicited or acknowledged by the dedication of a book or other work.
4. See
5. the protector of a dependent or client, often the former master of a freedman still retaining certain rights over him.
6. a person who has the right of presenting a member of the clergy to a benefice.

pa•trón

1. (in Mexico and the southwestern U.S.) a boss; employer.