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

Bahrain, a close U.S. ally that hosts the Navy’s Fifth Fleet, is sponsoring the U.N. resolution, with a vote expected Thursday.

From The Wall Street Journal

In Ohio, one of the primary sponsors of a bill to end the state’s four-day grace period explicitly cited the executive order.

From Salon

Erisa requires sponsors to choose plans “prudently,” and lawsuits often claim that fund fees or strategy choices aren’t suited for retirees.

From Barron's

This causes plan sponsors to stop expanding benefits.

From The Wall Street Journal

The Labor Department said plan sponsors who follow prescribed processes would have a safe harbor that aims to protect against lawsuits.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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