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
Synonyms
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
Mark Jenkins, Washington Post, 5 Apr. 2024
Sinner emerged wearing jeans and a bomber jacket by Gucci, one of his many sponsors.
—Abby Aguirre, Vogue, 4 Apr. 2024
Those broader subpoena powers were discussed on Monday, but a formal bill won’t be brought forward until the auditor and sponsors meet with more stakeholders, Sawyer said.
—Joe Rubino, The Denver Post, 3 Apr. 2024
The cost of installing a star on the Walk of Fame upon approval is approximately $75,000 and the sponsor of the nominee will accept the responsibility for arranging for payment to the Hollywood Historic Trust.
—Selena Kuznikov, Variety, 2 Apr. 2024
Another Utah lawmaker, the bill’s House of Representatives sponsor, Katy Hall (R), says even before the law was passed, some of Utah’s dozens of stem cell clinics had been dosing patients with placental stem cells.
—Bymeredith Wadman, science.org, 1 Apr. 2024
In no way does advisor assure that, by using the information provided, plan sponsor will be in compliance with ERISA regulations.
—Brian Menickella, Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024
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
Angela Watercutter, WIRED, 5 Apr. 2024
The Little Italy Association in partnership with O’Gara Coach San Diego will sponsor the event with live music for the community to see the designs and engines of the world-renowned Lamborghini.
—Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Apr. 2024
The group also sponsors invitational high school track and swim meets.
—Daniel Gonzalez, The Arizona Republic, 5 Apr. 2024
The bill, sponsored by Sen. Doug Ricks, R-Rexburg, prominently resembles model legislation from the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank whose donors included the Koch brothers.
—Ian Max Stevenson, Idaho Statesman, 3 Apr. 2024
The Mega Ball was 19 and the Megaplier was 3X.
Winning lottery numbers are sponsored by Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network.
—Sara Chernikoff, USA TODAY, 3 Apr. 2024
Democrats are quick to note that a border bill was on the table in Congress — a bipartisan border bill sponsored by Republican Sen. James Lankford, of Oklahoma, aimed at restricting crossings at the southern border had support from Democrats and Biden.
—Arpan Lobo, Detroit Free Press, 2 Apr. 2024
Many are smaller and by invitation only, including ones sponsored by JPMorgan Chase & Co., the fintech company Brex, Peter Thiel’s Founders Fund and Delta Airlines.
—Vinod Sreeharsha, Miami Herald, 2 Apr. 2024
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
Noun
Among the various business and governmental sponsors of this year’s Artomatic is a small but internationally renowned arts group, the Washington Glass School.
—Mark Jenkins, Washington Post, 5 Apr. 2024
Sinner emerged wearing jeans and a bomber jacket by Gucci, one of his many sponsors.
—Abby Aguirre, Vogue, 4 Apr. 2024
Those broader subpoena powers were discussed on Monday, but a formal bill won’t be brought forward until the auditor and sponsors meet with more stakeholders, Sawyer said.
—Joe Rubino, The Denver Post, 3 Apr. 2024
The cost of installing a star on the Walk of Fame upon approval is approximately $75,000 and the sponsor of the nominee will accept the responsibility for arranging for payment to the Hollywood Historic Trust.
—Selena Kuznikov, Variety, 2 Apr. 2024
Another Utah lawmaker, the bill’s House of Representatives sponsor, Katy Hall (R), says even before the law was passed, some of Utah’s dozens of stem cell clinics had been dosing patients with placental stem cells.
—Bymeredith Wadman, science.org, 1 Apr. 2024
In no way does advisor assure that, by using the information provided, plan sponsor will be in compliance with ERISA regulations.
—Brian Menickella, Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024
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
Verb
Hot Topic never sponsored me, even though the show had like a little niche following.
—Angela Watercutter, WIRED, 5 Apr. 2024
The Little Italy Association in partnership with O’Gara Coach San Diego will sponsor the event with live music for the community to see the designs and engines of the world-renowned Lamborghini.
—Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Apr. 2024
The group also sponsors invitational high school track and swim meets.
—Daniel Gonzalez, The Arizona Republic, 5 Apr. 2024
The bill, sponsored by Sen. Doug Ricks, R-Rexburg, prominently resembles model legislation from the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank whose donors included the Koch brothers.
—Ian Max Stevenson, Idaho Statesman, 3 Apr. 2024
The Mega Ball was 19 and the Megaplier was 3X.
Winning lottery numbers are sponsored by Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network.
—Sara Chernikoff, USA TODAY, 3 Apr. 2024
Democrats are quick to note that a border bill was on the table in Congress — a bipartisan border bill sponsored by Republican Sen. James Lankford, of Oklahoma, aimed at restricting crossings at the southern border had support from Democrats and Biden.
—Arpan Lobo, Detroit Free Press, 2 Apr. 2024
Many are smaller and by invitation only, including ones sponsored by JPMorgan Chase & Co., the fintech company Brex, Peter Thiel’s Founders Fund and Delta Airlines.
—Vinod Sreeharsha, Miami Herald, 2 Apr. 2024
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
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
Phrases Containing sponsor
Articles Related to sponsor
Dictionary Entries Near sponsor
Cite this Entry
“Sponsor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sponsor. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.
Copy Citation
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
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
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
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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