sponsor

noun spon·sor \ ˈspän(t)-sər \

|Updated on: 20 Jul 2018

Definition of sponsor

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

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sponsorial

play \spän-ˈsȯr-ē-əl\ adjective

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sponsorship

play \ˈspän(t)-sər-ˌship\ noun

See sponsor defined for English-language learners

See sponsor defined for kids

Examples of sponsor in a Sentence

Our company is a sponsor of the race.
I have over 50 sponsors for next week's race.
Her sponsors include a major sneaker company.
He agreed to be my sponsor so that I could join the club.
The senator is a sponsor of the proposed bill.

Recent Examples of sponsor from the Web

Darlin could also be released to a sponsor, which in most cases is a family member in the U.S.

— sarah kinosian, Teen Vogue, "Reunification Proves Complicated for Families Separated at the U.S.-Mexico Border," 14 July 2018
And open yourself up to communications from Shiru’s corporate sponsors — companies that pay the cafe to reach its clients.

— graham ambrose, BostonGlobe.com, "Free coffee — with a catch — is coming to Massachusetts," 14 July 2018
For starters, there’s too much money at stake — for corporate sponsors, media outlets, leagues and players — to allow such a failure to reoccur.

— rich campbell, chicagotribune.com, "Missing World Cup can't be in vain for U.S. men's national team," 13 July 2018
White supremacist groups hailed the pizza maker, an NFL sponsor, forcing the company to denounce the racist views of the groups.

— phillip m. bailey, The Courier-Journal, "Papa John needs to 'look in the mirror' over N-word, Andy Beshear says," 13 July 2018
The House bill has 135 co-sponsors, the Senate version 16.

— richard rubin, WSJ, "House Panel Passes Tax Break for Gym Memberships, Exercise Classes," 12 July 2018
Set to patriotic music at dusk at approximately 9:15 p.m., the evening will culminate with fireworks made possible by generous, long-time sponsor, Stafford Savings Bank.

— Courant Community, "Community News For The Stafford Edition," 10 July 2018
Parade sponsors and service providers: Jones Junction, Parade Book Advertisers, REDS Wine and Spirits, PNC Bank, Corbin Fuel Company, Sunshine Grille LLC, Kingsville Plaza by Goettner Const.

— The Aegis, "Judging results from Kingsville's July 4th Parade," 9 July 2018
So for instance that means tightening sanctions on North Korea, but more important, going after North Korea's major power sponsors, the Russians and the Chinese.

— Fox News, "Tom Fitton: FBI looked for excuses to target Trump's team," 7 July 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'sponsor.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of sponsor

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1651

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

sponsor Synonyms

Synonyms

backer, guarantor, patron, surety;

Related Words

chaperone (or chaperon);

advocate, champion, supporter;

angel, benefactor, underwriter;

coach, mentor, teacher;

cosponsor;

Other Broadcasting Terms

continuity, dissolve, fade, feed, remote, residual, spike, wipe

sponsor

verb

Definition of sponsor

sponsored; sponsoring play \ˈspän(t)s-(ə-)riŋ\

transitive verb

: to be or stand sponsor for

See sponsor defined for English-language learners

Examples of sponsor in a Sentence

The radio station sponsored the concert.
The tournament is sponsored by local businesses.
Will you sponsor me for the charity race?
He sponsored me at my confirmation.
She sponsored the new tax bill.

Recent Examples of sponsor from the Web

Most recently, a bill sponsored by Democrats Al Franken of Minnesota in the Senate and Joe Courtney of Connecticut in the House failed to get a hearing in Congress.

— mike hendricks, kansascity, "Firefighters protect us. Who protects them?," 13 July 2018
SUNDAY Wicking of Maidenhair Ferns for Indoor and Outdoor Use With Darla Harris and Larry Rucker, sponsored by the Texas Gulf Coast Fern Society.

— Houston Chronicle, "Garden events," 13 July 2018
The series sponsored by Friends of the New Lenox Library will return from 5:30 to 9 p.m. July 20 with music by Electric Avenue.

— vickie snow jurkowski, Daily Southtown, "5 boozy things to do July 20-21," 11 July 2018
Also, the festival — also sponsored by House of Wings and the Green Family Foundation — will feature an art expo zone, a barbecue cook-off competition and a Teens Exercising Extraordinary Success (T.E.E.S.) youth zone.

— randy grice, miamiherald, "Overtown Music & Arts Festival 'showcases the progress' of a community," 10 July 2018
The event, which also recognized the 2018 Nurses of the Year, is the culmination of the foundation’s six-week Thank a Nurse campaign sponsored by Tenet Health and VITAS Healthcare.

— kari barnett, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Palm Beach County Nurses of the Year get moment in the spotlight," 10 July 2018
The company is also investing $25 million in grants to news organizations looking to expand their video operations as part of a larger $300 million program sponsored by YouTube's sister company, Google.

— issie lapowsky, WIRED, "YouTube Debuts Plan to Promote and Fund 'Authoritative' News," 9 July 2018
To keep the good times rolling, local musicians are invited to an open jam session at the Clarksville Commons on Thursday, July 5, at 7:15 p.m., sponsored by Everett Jewelers.

— susan soldavin, Howard County Times, "Summer rocks with musical events and more [Clarksville]," 6 July 2018
The parade, sponsored by the town’s Lion Club, is a tradition of nearly 50 years.

— jesse wright, chicagotribune.com, "Darien celebrates Fourth with 80 entries in annual parade," 5 July 2018

First Known Use of sponsor

1869

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

SPONSOR Defined for English Language Learners

sponsor

noun

Definition of sponsor for English Language Learners

: a person or organization that pays the cost of an activity or event (such as a radio or television program, sports event, concert, etc.) in return for the right to advertise during the activity or event
: a person or organization that gives someone money for participating in a charity event (such as a walk or race)
: an organization that gives money to an athlete for training, clothes, equipment, etc., in return for the right to use the athlete for advertising

sponsor

verb

Definition of sponsor for English Language Learners

: to be a sponsor for (something or someone)

SPONSOR Defined for Kids

sponsor

noun spon·sor \ ˈspän-sər \

Definition of sponsor for Students

1 : a person who takes the responsibility for some other person or thing

2 : a person who represents someone being baptized and takes responsibility for his or her spiritual development : godparent

3 : a person or an organization that pays for or plans and carries out a project or activity

4 : a person who gives money to someone participating in an event for charity

5 : a person or an organization that pays the cost of a radio or television program

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sponsorship

\-ˌship\ noun

sponsor

verb

Definition of sponsor for Students

Law Dictionary

sponsor

noun spon·sor

legal Definition of sponsor

1 : a legislator who introduces and supports a legislative proposal (as a bill or amendment)

2 : a person who assumes responsibility for some other person (as an immigrant) or thing

3 a : one that securitizes assets

b : one that promotes, advocates, or favors a business venture (as investment in a security or limited partnership)

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sponsor

verb

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sponsorship

noun

Learn More about sponsor

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for sponsor Spanish Central: Translation of sponsor Nglish: Translation of sponsor for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of sponsor for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about sponsor

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sponsor

Definition of sponsor

sponsorial

sponsorship

Examples of sponsor in a Sentence

Recent Examples of sponsor from the Web

Origin and Etymology of sponsor

sponsor Synonyms

Synonyms

Related Words

Other Broadcasting Terms

sponsor

Definition of sponsor

Examples of sponsor in a Sentence

Recent Examples of sponsor from the Web

First Known Use of sponsor

SPONSOR Defined for English Language Learners

sponsor

Definition of sponsor for English Language Learners

sponsor

Definition of sponsor for English Language Learners

SPONSOR Defined for Kids

sponsor

Definition of sponsor for Students

sponsorship

sponsor

Definition of sponsor for Students

Law Dictionary

sponsor

legal Definition of sponsor

sponsor

sponsorship

Learn More about sponsor

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