1. (

• backing ,
• backup ,
• championship ,
• patronage

) the act of providing approval and support; "his vigorous backing of the conservatives got him in trouble with progressives" ;

2. (

• clientele ,
• patronage ,
• business ,

) customers collectively; "they have an upper class clientele" ;

3. (

• condescension ,
• disdain ,
• patronage

) a communication that indicates lack of respect by patronizing the recipient ;

4. (

• patronage ,

) (politics) granting favors or giving contracts or making appointments to office in return for political support ;

5. (

• trade ,
• patronage ,

) the business given to a commercial establishment by its customers; "even before noon there was a considerable patronage" ;

1. (

• patronage

) support by being a patron of ;

2. (

• patronize ,
• patronise ,
• patronage ,
• support ,
• keep_going

) be a regular customer or client of; "We patronize this store"; "Our sponsor kept our art studio going for as long as he could" ;