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)

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

• sponsorial adjective
• sponsorship noun
• unsponsored adjective

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

Example Sentences

There was a special focus on recreation for neighborhood boys who, thought Simkhovitch, preferred doing things to being talked at: Greenwich House sponsored a science club and carpentry classes.

From The Wall Street Journal

“I was at a meeting in Dallas with a potential sponsor — hopefully we’ll get them signed up — and it wasn’t even raised,” he said to Reuters.

From Los Angeles Times

“We saw you on ESPN, and now we want to sponsor you?”

From Los Angeles Times

At a time when questions are starting to be asked about the club's ability to do deals and the lack of a training ground or kit sponsor, that is quite important.

From BBC

Soon after the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, it became the sportswear sponsor for China’s delegation to the 2012 Olympic Games in London, according to the South China Morning Post.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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