sponsor

American  

[spon-ser] / ˈspɒn sər /

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.

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verb (used with object)

sponsors, present (3rd person singular) sponsored, past participle, past sponsoring present participle

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

   Synonyms:

   underwrite, back, finance, guarantee

sponsor British  

/ ˈspɒnsə, spɒnˈsɔːrɪəl /

noun

1. 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 called: godparent. 

   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

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verb

1. (tr) to act as a sponsor for

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• sponsorship
  noun
• sponsorial
  adjective
• unsponsored
  adjective

Conjugated Forms

Present

• have sponsored
  perfect
• has sponsored
  perfect 3rd person singular
• is sponsoring
  progressive 3rd person singular
• has been sponsoring
  perfect progressive 3rd person singular
• am sponsoring
  progressive 1st person singular
• have been sponsoring
  perfect progressive
• sponsoring
  participle
• are sponsoring
  progressive
• sponsors
  singular 3rd person

Past

• had sponsored
  perfect
• were sponsoring
  progressive plural
• was sponsoring
  progressive singular
• sponsored
  simple
• had been sponsoring
  perfect progressive
• sponsored
  participle

Future

• will sponsor
  simple
• will have sponsored
  perfect
• will be sponsoring
  progressive
• will have been sponsoring
  perfect progressive

Etymology

Origin of sponsor

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

Explanation

A sponsor provides support for someone or something, typically by supplying cash. Because your company is a sponsor for a homeless organization, they provide funding for the annual 5K run to raise money for the shelter. The word sponsor stems from the Latin word spondre, meaning "give assurance, promise solemnly." A sponsor might support an important issue such as cancer research or education, or a sponsor might take responsibility for someone. You might be your brother's sponsor so he can join your exclusive chess group. Sponsor has a verb form to describe the action of supporting or leading something. You can sponsor a nonprofit arts organization by donating and participating on the board.

Example Sentences

ICE does not sponsor PBR events or recruit agents at those events.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 9, 2026

Mastercard won’t sponsor the New York City Pride March this year, but did pay fees for some 100 employees and executives to walk in it holding a company banner, according to a spokesman.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 2, 2026

When a portfolio company runs into trouble, the sponsor amends the credit agreement, injects equity, finds a buyer, and extends the runway.

From Barron's • May 30, 2026

Ministers also increased the general salary threshold for those arriving on skilled visas from £26,200 to £38,700, and increased the minimum income requirement to sponsor someone for a family visa by more than £10,000.

From BBC • May 21, 2026

His financial patronage of teams and players could always be relied upon, and he was the sponsor of many chess events, some major.

From "Endgame" by Frank Brady

Related Words

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