sponsor

[ spon-ser ]

/ ˈspɒn sər /

Save This Word!

See synonyms for: sponsor / sponsored / sponsoring / sponsors on Thesaurus.com

noun

a person who vouches or is responsible for a person or thing.

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.

a person who makes a pledge or promise on behalf of another.

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)

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

OTHER WORDS FOR sponsor

1 patron, backer; guarantor.

2 advertiser.

5 guarantee, finance, back, underwrite.

See synonyms for sponsor on Thesaurus.com

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of sponsor

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

OTHER WORDS FROM sponsor

spon·so·ri·al

[spon-sawr-ee-uhl], /spɒnˈsɔr i əl/, adjectivespon·sor·ship, nounun·spon·sored, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use sponsor in a sentence

Problematic as the retroactive sponsorships were editorially, the absence of sponsors for the majority of Great Big Story’s videos was problematic financially.
‘Two very, very different companies’: Why CNN’s Great Big Story failed to survive|Tim Peterson|November 2, 2020|Digiday
A person paying for a $49 ticket over a $19 ticket, for instance, might indicate that they are more inclined to spend more on things that are of interest to them, which is valuable information to share with sponsors.
Paid virtual events are the new golden ticket for publishers|Kayleigh Barber|October 23, 2020|Digiday
Over the summer, a coalition of activists, government officials, and corporate sponsors scrambled to construct a brand-new urban mesh network in time to bring Canal’s students to their virtual classrooms this fall.
The volunteers blanketing cities with wireless internet|Katie McLean|October 21, 2020|MIT Technology Review
Patrini says he’s spoken with influencers and YouTubers, as well, who’ve had deepfaked pornographic images of them sent directly to their sponsors, costing them immense emotional and financial strain.
A deepfake bot is being used to “undress” underage girls|Karen Hao|October 20, 2020|MIT Technology Review

Deals to be a lead sponsor with esports teams are usually around $100,00, according to one sports media exec.
‘There’s still a lot of hand-holding’: McLaren focuses on turning revving advertiser interest in esports into more media dollars|Seb Joseph|October 19, 2020|Digiday
As the names of the sponsoring organizations suggest, the new survey was particularly interested in the role of religion.
Extreme Weather? Blame the End Times|Jay Michaelson|November 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST
She skewers the Nature Conservancy for sponsoring oil drilling on their property for profit.
Naomi Klein’s ‘This Changes Everything’ Will Change Nothing|Michael Signer|November 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST
On the Senate side, Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy is sponsoring companion legislation.
Obama’s Civil Rights Snub?|Eleanor Clift|June 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He laughed at rumors that Moscow is sponsoring the group with so much cash it could fly around in private helicopters.
Putin’s Men in Ukraine: We’re Not Giving In|Anna Nemtsova|April 18, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Festivals like the Open still have to be orderly enough for companies like Ralphs and Paul Mitchell to feel safe sponsoring them.
U.S. Open of Surfing Turns Into Riot|Mark Lukach|July 31, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Virginia colleges and universities also keep the theater alive by sponsoring dramatics classes, workshops and plays.
Hallowed Heritage: The Life of Virginia|Dorothy M. Torpey
He hoped that in case I did push off I wouldn't disgrace myself—and him, who was sponsoring me, so to speak—by not keeping going.
Down the Yellowstone|Lewis R. Freeman
We also would like to acknowledge the support and role of the National Defense University in sponsoring this first effort.
Shock and Awe|Harlan K. Ullman
(h) Sponsoring training to help improve the competence of specialized enforcement and other technical personnel.
An Assessment of the Consequences and Preparations for a Catastrophic California Earthquake: Findings and Actions Taken|Various
The mayor was impressed with the high "patriotic" motives and especially with the imposing list of names sponsoring the efforts.
Secret Armies|John L. Spivak

British Dictionary definitions for sponsor

sponsor

/ (ˈspɒnsə) /

noun

(a person or group that provides funds for an activity, esp)

a commercial organization that pays all or part of the cost of putting on a concert, sporting event, etc
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

mainly US and Canadian a person or business firm that pays the costs of a radio or television programme in return for advertising time

a legislator who presents and supports a bill, motion, etc

Also called: godparent

an authorized witness who makes the required promises on behalf of a person to be baptized and thereafter assumes responsibility for his Christian upbringing
a person who presents a candidate for confirmation

mainly US a person who undertakes responsibility for the actions, statements, obligations, etc, of another, as during a period of apprenticeship; guarantor

verb

(tr) to act as a sponsor for

Derived forms of sponsor

sponsorial (spɒnˈsɔːrɪəl), adjectivesponsorship, noun

Word Origin for sponsor

C17: from Latin, from spondēre to promise solemnly

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

sponsor

OTHER WORDS FOR sponsor

Origin of sponsor

OTHER WORDS FROM sponsor

Words related to sponsor

How to use sponsor in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for sponsor

Derived forms of sponsor

Word Origin for sponsor