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
Synonyms
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
Now this beloved patron saint of Ireland and legendary figure is remembered with a variety of early spring celebrations throughout Connecticut.
—
Maureen Murphy, Hartford Courant, 7 Mar. 2024
While nobody was looking, the former Flash Forward star became the patron saint of January cinema, popping up in three different January movies over the course of our ten-year study.
—Nate Jones, Vulture, 30 Jan. 2024
Next month, Pope Benedict XVI will make a pilgrimage to Santiago de Cuba, on the eastern end of the island, to visit the shrine of the Virgin of Charity, Cuba's patron saint.
—Victor Gaetan, Foreign Affairs, 27 Feb. 2012
Other inductees announced on April 23, the traditional Garter appointment announcement day and feast day of England's patron saint, St. George, included Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber, Air Chief Marshal Lord Peach and the Right Honourable Lord Kakkar.
—Janine Henni, Peoplemag, 17 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for patron saint 
Maureen Murphy, Hartford Courant, 7 Mar. 2024
While nobody was looking, the former Flash Forward star became the patron saint of January cinema, popping up in three different January movies over the course of our ten-year study.
—Nate Jones, Vulture, 30 Jan. 2024
Next month, Pope Benedict XVI will make a pilgrimage to Santiago de Cuba, on the eastern end of the island, to visit the shrine of the Virgin of Charity, Cuba's patron saint.
—Victor Gaetan, Foreign Affairs, 27 Feb. 2012
Other inductees announced on April 23, the traditional Garter appointment announcement day and feast day of England's patron saint, St. George, included Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber, Air Chief Marshal Lord Peach and the Right Honourable Lord Kakkar.
—Janine Henni, Peoplemag, 17 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for patron saint
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'patron saint.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Patron saint.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/patron%20saint. Accessed 7 Jul. 2024.
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