supporter

American  

[suh-pawr-ter, -pohr-] / səˈpɔr tər, -ˈpoʊr- /

noun

1. a person or thing that supports.

2. an adherent, follower, backer, or advocate.

3. a device, usually of elastic cotton webbing, for supporting some part of the body, especially a jockstrap.

4. a garter, especially one attached to a garter belt or girdle.

5. Heraldry. either of two human or animal figures flanking and supporting an escutcheon in an achievement of arms.

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supporter British  

/ səˈpɔːtə /

noun

1. a person who or thing that acts as a support

2. a person who backs a sports team, politician, etc

3. a garment or device worn to ease the strain on or restrict the movement of a bodily structure or part

4. heraldry a figure or beast in a coat of arms depicted as holding up the shield

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Other Word Forms

• nonsupporter noun

Etymology

Origin of supporter

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English; support + -er ¹

Example Sentences

"We still have many battles to fight; we are engaged on four fronts and we will give everything, every day, to make our supporters proud."

From Barron's

He may be known as the Great Emancipator, but Abraham Lincoln was a committed partisan who knew how to organize supporters and undermine opponents.

From The Wall Street Journal

With a $7.7 billion endowment, the Mellon Foundation is the nation’s largest supporter of the arts and humanities.

From The Wall Street Journal

Hope lives - as it must - but there isn't a more realistic bunch of supporters in this tournament than the Scots.

From BBC

The reductive strategy so nearly secured successive World Cup finals - but often proved soporific for supporters.

From BBC

Related Words

• ally
• defender
• follower
• patron
• proponent
• support