patron saint

noun

1
: a saint to whose protection and intercession a person, a society, a church, or a place is dedicated
2
: an original leader or prime exemplar

Examples of patron saint in a Sentence

St. David is the patron saint of Wales. St. Christopher is the patron saint of travelers. The success of her books has made her the patron saint of a new literary movement.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Monday, March 17 is the holiday to celebrate everything Irish, including Saint Patrick, who was once the patron saint of Ireland. Kinsey Crowley, USA TODAY, 16 Mar. 2025 The Chicago Fire, named in honor of the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, once had a meaningful emblem featuring the cross of St. Florian, the patron saint of firefighters. Chicago Tribune, 15 Mar. 2025 While the day is in honor of the Feast of Saint Patrick, the foremost patron saint of Ireland, it’s culturally become a day when people dress in green and kick back a pint (or two) of green-colored beer. Vanessa Etienne, People.com, 14 Mar. 2025 Over 7,000 Catholic parishioners attended Saturday's 19th annual Honra Tu Madre (honor your mother) event in downtown Phoenix, a celebration dedicated to the Virgin of Guadalupe, the patron saint of Mexico, whose feast day is on Dec. 12. David Ulloa Jr, The Arizona Republic, 8 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for patron saint

Word History

First Known Use

1703, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of patron saint was in 1703

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Cite this Entry

“Patron saint.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/patron%20saint. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

patron saint

noun
: a saint to whom a person, society, church, or place is dedicated

More from Merriam-Webster on patron saint

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