patronage in WordNet English dictionary

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

1. be a regular customer or client of
   "We patronize this store"; "Our sponsor kept our art studio going for as long as he could"
   patronize  patronise  patronage  support  keep going 
   
2. support by being a patron of
   patronage