What is the meaning of patronage?

noun

• The act of providing approval and support.
  • usage: "his vigorous backing of the conservatives got him in trouble with progressives"
  • synonyms: backing, backup, championship
• Customers collectively.
  • usage: "they have an upper class clientele"
  • synonyms: clientele, business
• A communication that indicates lack of respect by patronizing the recipient.
  • synonyms: condescension, disdain
• Politics) granting favors or giving contracts or making appointments to office in return for political support. (
• The business given to a commercial establishment by its customers.
  • usage: "even before noon there was a considerable patronage"
  • synonyms: trade

verb

• Support by being a patron of.
• Be a regular customer or client of.
  • usage: "We patronize this store"; "Our sponsor kept our art studio going for as long as he could"
  • synonyms: patronize, patronise, support, keep going