sponsor

1 of 2

noun

spon·​sor ˈspän(t)-sər How to pronounce sponsor (audio)
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
sponsorial adjective
sponsorship noun

sponsor

2 of 2

verb

sponsored; sponsoring ˈspän(t)s-(ə-)riŋ How to pronounce sponsor (audio)

transitive verb

: to be or stand sponsor for

Examples of sponsor in a Sentence

Noun 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. Verb 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 on the Web
Noun
State officials are reviewing some of the proposals and have cleared others for sponsors to start gathering signatures. Judith Kohler, The Denver Post, 22 Mar. 2024 Last year’s honoree, Stephenson, is returning this year as a sponsor. Chris Gardner, The Hollywood Reporter, 21 Mar. 2024 The bill’s sponsors did not immediately respond to a question about what would happen to versions of the app that were already installed on smartphones. Sapna Maheshwari, New York Times, 16 Mar. 2024 But the bill’s sponsors in the House are hopeful that Wednesday’s vote will send a message. Lauren Feiner, The Verge, 15 Mar. 2024 Soirée magazine organizes the event, now in its sixth year, with help from other sponsors. The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, arkansasonline.com, 13 Mar. 2024 Now entering its fourth year, the awards welcome multiple new and returning sponsors this year, with headline partner Shure back for 2024, alongside American Apparel, JMC Academy and Largo Brewing. Lars Brandle, Billboard, 13 Mar. 2024 Related Stories So Loughlin needs a sponsor, and who better than Larry — someone who has gotten so many second chances himself? Jackie Strause, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 Mar. 2024 The team — whose sponsors include Synnex Corporation and Google — must still raise a $5,750 entry fee and about $19,000 in travel expenses to get the team and its robot to Texas. Sal Pizarro, The Mercury News, 9 Mar. 2024
Verb
The patient: Amari Vaca, now 1, who was covered by a Cigna policy sponsored by his father's employer at the time. Molly Castle Work, NPR, 25 Mar. 2024 For example, House Bill 259, which is sponsored by Rep. Savannah Maddox, R-Dry Ridge, lowers the age from 21 to 18 to possess and conceal carry a gun. Hannah Pinski, The Courier-Journal, 25 Mar. 2024 The Dox:Award comes with a cash prize of €10,000 sponsored by Denmark’s public broadcaster DR. Lise Pedersen, Variety, 22 Mar. 2024 Numerous European and African nations sponsored the resolution, as well as the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Israel, Turkey, South Korea, Singapore, Peru, and the United Arab Emirates, to name a few. Kate Irwin, PCMAG, 22 Mar. 2024 The bill was sponsored by Rep. Frank Pallone, a Democrat from New Jersey, and Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, a Republican from Washington. Matt Novak / Gizmodo, Quartz, 22 Mar. 2024 The reference was to a groundless accusation beloved by lab-leak advocates that a grant proposal sponsored by Daszak’s organization involved creating a virus in a Chinese lab that became SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID. Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2024 It was sponsored by council members D'Andre Jones and Sarah Moore. Stacy Ryburn, arkansasonline.com, 20 Mar. 2024 Recently, there was a social event sponsored by this group. Jeanne Phillips, The Mercury News, 11 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'sponsor.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

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

First Known Use

Noun

1651, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1869, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of sponsor was in 1651

Dictionary Entries Near sponsor

Cite this Entry

“Sponsor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sponsor. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

sponsor

1 of 2 noun
spon·​sor ˈspän(t)-sər How to pronounce sponsor (audio)
1
: a person who takes the responsibility for some other person or thing
2
3
a
: a person or an organization that pays for or plans and carries out a project or activity
b
: a person or an organization that pays the cost of a radio or television program
sponsorship noun

sponsor

2 of 2 verb
sponsored; sponsoring ˈspän(t)s-(ə-)riŋ How to pronounce sponsor (audio)
: to act as sponsor for

Legal Definition

sponsor

noun
spon·​sor
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)
sponsor verb
sponsorship noun

More from Merriam-Webster on sponsor

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