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
Tucci, who thankfully gets a lot more screen time here, understands the assignment and plays the patron saint in a waistcoat with aplomb.
—
David Fear, Rolling Stone, 29 Apr. 2026
Anchoring it is the Basilica di San Zeno Maggiore, an excellent example of Romanesque architecture named for the city’s patron saint.
—Laura Itzkowitz, Travel + Leisure, 27 Apr. 2026
The patron saint of the NBA Play-In Tournament has gone missing.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 15 Apr. 2026
Your baby will share a name with the patron saint of Paris.
—Lydia Wang, Parents, 12 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for patron saint
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David Fear, Rolling Stone, 29 Apr. 2026
Anchoring it is the Basilica di San Zeno Maggiore, an excellent example of Romanesque architecture named for the city’s patron saint.
—Laura Itzkowitz, Travel + Leisure, 27 Apr. 2026
The patron saint of the NBA Play-In Tournament has gone missing.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 15 Apr. 2026
Your baby will share a name with the patron saint of Paris.
—Lydia Wang, Parents, 12 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for patron saint
Cite this Entry
“Patron saint.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/patron%20saint. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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