sponsor

American  

[spon-ser] / ˈspɒn sər /

noun

sponsors plural

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)

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

---

verb

1. (tr) to act as a sponsor for

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• sponsorship
  noun
• sponsorial
  adjective
• unsponsored
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• sponsors
  plural

Participles

• sponsoring
  present
• sponsored
  past

Conjugated Forms

Present

• sponsor
  simple
• sponsors
  simple
• have sponsored
  perfect
• has sponsored
  perfect
• am sponsoring
  progressive
• are sponsoring
  progressive
• is sponsoring
  progressive
• have been sponsoring
  perfect progressive
• has been sponsoring
  perfect progressive

Past

• sponsored
  simple
• had sponsored
  perfect
• was sponsoring
  progressive
• were sponsoring
  progressive
• had been sponsoring
  perfect progressive

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

The United States listed Syria as a state sponsor of terrorism in 1979.

From Barron's • Jul. 8, 2026

The bank’s latest annual financial report is stamped with the America250 logo—JPMorgan is a sponsor of the group—and titled “Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 30, 2026

According to the lawsuit, Kil attended the demonstration in her personal capacity and not as an advisory to SJP, which did not organize or sponsor the demonstration.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 30, 2026

A refugee work route is expected to open next year, allowing employers to sponsor refugees, the Home Office said.

From BBC • Jun. 26, 2026

Thanks us for being the best tributes it has ever been her privilege to sponsor.

From "The Hunger Games" by Suzanne Collins

Related Words

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