sponsor

1 of 2

noun

spon·​sor ˈspän(t)-sər 

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

spän-ˈsȯr-ē-əl 

adjective

sponsorship

ˈspän(t)-sər-ˌship 

noun

sponsor

2 of 2

verb

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

transitive verb

: to be or stand sponsor for

Synonyms of sponsor

Noun

• patron
• supporter
• benefactor

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

Assuming the company meets the requirements, index-tracking funds and other product sponsors would begin purchasing shares after the market closes on July 6, with SpaceX officially joining the Nasdaq-100 before trading begins on July 7. — Yun Li, CNBC, 27 June 2026

Now Coalition, which is funded by the Service Employees International Union-United Healthcare Workers West, the sponsor of the proposal. — Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times, 26 June 2026

Verb

The North Carolina booth was not officially sponsored by the state but by private companies. — Terry Collins, USA Today, 27 June 2026

Fleming expressed optimism in a text to the Washington Examiner, citing a recent internal poll sponsored by his campaign, which showed him leading Letlow by 5 percentage points. — Ramsey Touchberry, The Washington Examiner, 27 June 2026

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

Phrases Containing sponsor

• co-sponsor

Rhymes for sponsor

• cosponsor

Kids Definition

sponsor

1 of 2 noun

spon·​sor ˈspän(t)-sər 

1

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

2

: godparent

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

-ˌship 

noun

sponsor

2 of 2 verb

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

: 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