1. （艺术家、作家和音乐家等的）赞助人，资助人
    A patron is a person who supports and gives money to artists, writers, or musicians.

    e.g. Catherine the Great was a patron of the arts and sciences.
           叶卡捷琳娜大帝资助发展艺术和科学。

2. （允许慈善机构、团体和活动等使用自己的名字作宣传的）代言人，名义赞助人
    The patron of a charity, group, or campaign is an important person who allows his or her name to be used for publicity.

    e.g. Fiona and Alastair have become patrons of the National Missing Person's Helpline.
           菲奥娜和阿拉斯泰尔已经成为国家失踪人口服务热线的代言人。

3. （酒吧、旅馆等的）主顾，顾客
    The patrons of a place such as a pub, bar, or hotel are its customers.

    e.g. He spent the night at the Savoy: like so many of its patrons, he could not resist the exclusively English cooking.
           他在萨沃伊酒店过了夜：和许多顾客一样，他无法抗拒精美的英式菜肴。