patronage

Noun

• the business given to a commercial establishment by its customers
  • even before noon there was a considerable patronage
    

• (politics) granting favors or giving contracts or making appointments to office in return for political support

• a communication that indicates lack of respect by patronizing the recipient

• customers collectively
  • they have an upper class clientele
    

• the act of providing approval and support
  • his vigorous backing of the conservatives got him in trouble with progressives
    

Verb

• be a regular customer or client of
  • We patronize this store
    
  • Our sponsor kept our art studio going for as long as he could
    

• support by being a patron of

Related words

• Synonyms: 
  trade , condescension , disdain , clientele , business , backing , backup , championship , patronize , patronise , support , keep going