Special countenance or support; favor, encouragement, or aid, afforded to a person or a work; as, the patronage of letters; patronage given to an author.

The right of nomination to political office; also, the offices, contracts, honors, etc., which a public officer may bestow by favor.

The number of people carried by the passenger train during a specified period.

jobs awarded to people for faithful political service.

arrangement in which wealthy people supported talented people who were poor.

jobs and other favors that an elected or appointed official is able to bestow on his political supporters.

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

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

support by being a patron of

Practice of rewarding jobs in official governmental posts to one's political allies after an electoral victory.

Private financial support and encouragement given by a patron (individual or corporate). Originally the term was very much associated with individual philanthropy (see Mécénat), although it is now commonly used in a more general sense.

jobs or favors distributed on a political basis, usually as rewards for loyalty or service

An executive prerogative, generally criticized, in which appointments or other rewards are granted, often in recognition for political loyalty or other personal association.

support, particularly support for the arts provided by ordering and paying for works of art

Generally, patronage is the use of state resources to advance the interests of groups, families, ethnicities or races, but not individuals, in exchange for electoral support.