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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
The company has extended the deadline to complete its initial business combination to November 20, 2024, with further extensions possible upon sponsor approval. Quartz Bot, Quartz, 14 Nov. 2024 Yet, after Gunna pleaded guilty while maintaining his innocence under the Alford plea, sponsor Walmart pulled out of the event. Mankaprr Conteh, Rolling Stone, 4 Nov. 2024
Verb
Photo: Andrew Lichtenstein/Corbis via Getty Images At an East Village bar, Trump supporters cheer the results at an Election Night watch party sponsored by the New York Young Republicans Club. Curbed Staff, Curbed, 6 Nov. 2024 The poll of 1,297 likely voters, sponsored by NPR and PBS, saw 51% of respondents supporting Harris while 47% supported Trump. Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 5 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for sponsor 

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 26 Nov. 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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!