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

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

For Will Hansen, executive director of the Plan Sponsor Council of America, a 6% hardship-withdrawal rate gives pause, but his group’s research shows lower rates of withdrawals for 2024, under 3%.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 4, 2026

Symbotic is offering 6.5 million shares, and SoftBank affiliate SVF Sponsor III is selling 3.5 million shares.

From Barron's • Dec. 4, 2025

Sponsor invitations have long been used to attract attention to a tournament through a golfer who is from a well-known family or, in recent years, has a strong social media presence.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 29, 2025

Sponsor Puma, which has made F1-inspired clothing since the 1980s, will sell a shredded ski mask and graphic T-shirts designed by rapper A$AP Rocky starting Friday, ahead of Saturday’s race in Vegas.

From Reuters • Nov. 16, 2023

Sponsor of the prom and Truman’s chapter of the National Honor Society.

From "Drama High" by Michael Sokolove

Related Words

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