PATRON SAINT Definition & Meaning

View synonyms for

patron saint

noun

a saint regarded as the special guardian of a person, group, trade, country, etc.

patron saint

noun

a saint regarded as the particular guardian of a country, church, trade, person, etc

patron saint

A saint from whom a person or group claims special protection or prayers. Saint Christopher, for example, is considered the patron of travelers; Saint Luke, the patron of doctors; and Saint Patrick, the patron of Ireland. People who have the same name as a saint may consider the saint their patron. The honoring of patron saints is especially common in the Roman Catholic Church.

Discover More

51�Թ� History and Origins

Origin of patron saint¹

First recorded in 1710–20

Discover More

Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

The last time Zimbabwe played a Test in England, 22 years ago, the series was famous for the debut of Anderson, the patron saint of English-style seamers like Cook.

From

In Saxon’s childhood home, Jane Goodall was one of three agreed-upon patron saints.

From

Across the country - where it is not uncommon for the smallest village to have a patron saint - church bells tolled and portraits of Pope Francis were hung inside churches as the faithful mourned.

From

Brady is the patron saint of the passed-over passers, and this Los Angeles Times beat-writer mock draft has plenty of those.

From

At the mouth of every tunnel there is a small shrine to Saint Barbara, the patron saint of miners.

From

Related 51�Թ�s

guardian angel��

patronne patronym

Browse