Main Entry: ¹spon·sor

Pronunciation: \ˈspän(t)-sər\

Function: noun

Etymology: Late Latin, from Latin, guarantor, surety, from spondēre to promise — more at spouse

Date: 1651

1 : one who presents a candidate for baptism or confirmation and undertakes responsibility for the person's religious education or spiritual welfare
2 : one who assumes responsibility for some other person or thing
3 : a person or an organization that pays for or plans and carries out a project or activity; especially : one that pays the cost of a radio or television program usually in return for advertising time during its course

— spon·so·ri·al \spän-ˈsȯr-ē-əl\ adjective

— spon·sor·ship \ˈspän(t)-sər-ˌship\ noun