Definitions:

1. granting favors, giving contracts, or making appointments to office in return for political support noun
   • The party was in trouble for its patronage of the environment lobby.
2. the business given to a commercial establishment by its customers noun
   • even before noon there was a considerable patronage

Synonyms:

• backing
• backup
• business
• championship
• condescension
• disdain
• support
• trade