Patronize in the sense “to provide aid or support for” refers to the sort of patron who gives money or assistance. Such a person might, for example, patronize the arts.

Patronize comes from Latin patronus "protector, master," related to pater "father." So if you patronize a person, you talk down to them like a father might do to his child or a master to his …

patronize verb [T] (BE CUSTOMER) formal (UK usually patronise) to be a regular customer of a shop or restaurant, etc.:

If someone patronizes you, they speak or behave towards you in a way which seems friendly, but which shows that they think they are superior to you in some way. Don't you patronize me!

Definition of patronize verb in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.

Dec 10, 2025 · We ask her [the government] to patronize scholars as she does her law makers. We ask her to patronize pioneers in science as she does pioneers in the woods.

patronize, v. meanings, etymology, pronunciation and more in the Oxford English Dictionary

PATRONIZE definition: to give (a store, restaurant, hotel, etc.) one's regular patronage; trade with. See examples of patronize used in a sentence.

To act as a patron to; support or sponsor: donors who patronize the orchestra. 2. To go to as a customer, especially on a regular basis: We patronize the local diner. 3. To treat in a …

• Just because you're older than me, it doesn't give you the right to patronize me. • We thus had a perfect relationship: each of us felt that he could patronize the other. • We patronize them for …