sponsor

[ spon-ser ]

noun

1. a person who vouches or is responsible for a person or thing.

   Synonyms: guarantor, backer, patron

2. a person, firm, organization, etc., that finances and buys the time to broadcast a radio or television program so as to advertise a product, a political party, etc.

   Synonyms: advertiser

3. a person who makes a pledge or promise on behalf of another.
4. Christianity. a person who promises to mentor a youth or new convert preparing for confirmation or initiation, or who answers for an infant at baptism.

verb (used with object)

1. to act as sponsor for; promise, vouch, or answer for.

   Synonyms: underwrite, back, finance, guarantee

sponsor

/ ˈspɒnsə; spɒnˈsɔːrɪəl /

noun

1. a person or group that provides funds for an activity, esp
   1. a commercial organization that pays all or part of the cost of putting on a concert, sporting event, etc
   2. a person who donates money to a charity when the person requesting the donation has performed a specified activity as part of an organized fund-raising effort
2. a person or business firm that pays the costs of a radio or television programme in return for advertising time
3. a legislator who presents and supports a bill, motion, etc
4. Also calledgodparent
   1. an authorized witness who makes the required promises on behalf of a person to be baptized and thereafter assumes responsibility for his Christian upbringing
   2. a person who presents a candidate for confirmation
5. a person who undertakes responsibility for the actions, statements, obligations, etc, of another, as during a period of apprenticeship; guarantor

verb

1. tr to act as a sponsor for

Derived Forms

• ˈsponsorˌship, noun
• sponsorial, adjective

Other Words From

• spon·so·ri·al [spon-, sawr, -ee-, uh, l], adjective
• spon·sor·ship noun
• un·spon·sored adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of sponsor¹

First recorded in 1645–55; from Latin spōnsor “guarantor,” equivalent to spond(ēre) “to pledge” + -tor -tor, with dt becoming s

Word History and Origins

Origin of sponsor¹

C17: from Latin, from spondēre to promise solemnly

Example Sentences

We drove down in the family Volvo, and Coca-Cola was the title sponsor of the Olympics.

From Los Angeles Times

But Sheeran became the club's main shirt sponsor in 2021 and after Ipswich earned back-to-back promotions to seal their return to the top flight, he bought a minority stake in the club this summer.

From BBC

The Times set the festival rolling as the main sponsor with a $5-million donation.

From Los Angeles Times

During the meeting, Soltanov told the potential sponsor that the aim of the conference was "solving the climate crisis" and "transitioning away from hydrocarbons in a just, orderly and equitable manner".

From BBC

Initially, Soltanov suggested the potential sponsor might be interested in investing in some of the "green transitioning projects" Socar was involved in - but then spoke of opportunities related to Azerbaijan's plans to increase gas production, including new pipeline infrastructure.

From BBC

Related Words

• advocate
• backer
• benefactor
• patron
• promoter
• supporter
• underwriter