Phrase guide

patron saint

noun · 3 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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  • /ˈpeɪtɹən ˈseɪnt/
  • US: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.

1

noun

Meaning 1

A saint conceived as the patron (protector or supporter) of a particular place, group, person, or activity, for whom or for which his or her intercession is specially invoked.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Topics: Christianity

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

An exemplar: an individual who exemplifies some trait or group.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: figuratively

Examples

  • Janet is the patron saint of procrastination. I'm thinking of erecting her a shrine of doughnut boxes in the breakroom.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: archetype, byspel, case, case in point, embodiment, epitome, eponym, exemplar, exemplification, example, exemplificator, Exhibit A, illustration, incarnation, instance, paradigm, prototype, quintessence, representative, sample, specimen, symbol, ur-type

Antonyms: none provided

3

noun

Meaning 3

a saint who is considered to be a defender of some group or nation

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: defender, guardian, protector, shielder, saint

Narrower terms: Santa Claus, Santa, Kriss Kringle, Father Christmas, Saint Nicholas, Saint Nick, St. Nick, Christopher, Saint Christopher, St. Christopher, Crispin, Saint Crispin, St. Crispin, David, Saint David, St. David, George, Saint George, St. George, Patrick, Saint Patrick, St. Patrick

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

34 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Chinese Mandarin: 主保聖人 /主保圣人 (zhǔbǎo shèngrén) — saint from whom a specific group claims special protection or prayer
  • Danish: skytshelgen — saint from whom a specific group claims special protection or prayer
  • Dutch: beschermheilige — saint from whom a specific group claims special protection or prayer
  • Esperanto: patrono — saint from whom a specific group claims special protection or prayer
  • Finnish: suojeluspyhimys — saint from whom a specific group claims special protection or prayer
  • French: saint patron — saint from whom a specific group claims special protection or prayer
  • Galician: patrono — saint from whom a specific group claims special protection or prayer
  • German: Schutzheiliger — saint from whom a specific group claims special protection or prayer
  • German: Schutzheilige — saint from whom a specific group claims special protection or prayer
  • German: Schutzpatron — saint from whom a specific group claims special protection or prayer
  • German: Schutzpatronin — saint from whom a specific group claims special protection or prayer
  • Hungarian: védőszent — saint from whom a specific group claims special protection or prayer
  • Icelandic: verndardýrlingur — saint from whom a specific group claims special protection or prayer
  • Irish: éarlamh — saint from whom a specific group claims special protection or prayer
  • Old Irish: érlam — saint from whom a specific group claims special protection or prayer
  • Italian: santo patrono — saint from whom a specific group claims special protection or prayer
  • Japanese: 守護聖人 (shugoseijin) — saint from whom a specific group claims special protection or prayer
  • Korean: 수호성인 (suhoseong'in) — saint from whom a specific group claims special protection or prayer
  • Polish: święty patron — saint from whom a specific group claims special protection or prayer
  • Portuguese: patrono — saint from whom a specific group claims special protection or prayer
  • Portuguese: padroeiro — saint from whom a specific group claims special protection or prayer
  • Portuguese: orago — saint from whom a specific group claims special protection or prayer
  • Romanian: sfânt patron — saint from whom a specific group claims special protection or prayer
  • Russian: свято́й покрови́тель (svjatój pokrovítelʹ) — saint from whom a specific group claims special protection or prayer
  • Scottish Gaelic: naomh-taice — saint from whom a specific group claims special protection or prayer
  • Spanish: patrono — saint from whom a specific group claims special protection or prayer
  • Spanish: santo patrón — saint from whom a specific group claims special protection or prayer
  • Spanish: santo patrono — saint from whom a specific group claims special protection or prayer
  • Swedish: skyddshelgon — saint from whom a specific group claims special protection or prayer
  • Tagalog: pintakasi — saint from whom a specific group claims special protection or prayer
  • Ukrainian: святий покровитель (svjatyj pokrovytelʹ) — saint from whom a specific group claims special protection or prayer
  • Vietnamese: thánh quan thầy — saint from whom a specific group claims special protection or prayer
  • Welsh: nawddsant — saint from whom a specific group claims special protection or prayer
  • Russian: обра́зчик (obrázčik) — exemplar