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
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 The policy requires migrants to have a U.S. sponsor, undergo background checks and arrive in the United States legally at airports, where officials will admit them using the emergency authority known as parole. Maria Sacchetti, Washington Post, 9 Mar. 2024 Participants can bring a pet and can join a team, form a team or join individually or be a sponsor. Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Mar. 2024 Many won plurality support, but more than half dealing with climate were withdrawn after managements made commitments to their sponsors to meet their disclosure goals. Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 8 Mar. 2024 Also, thank you to our official lead sponsors: AdsWizz builds the advertising technology powering the world’s leading audio publishers and podcasters. Ariel Shapiro, The Verge, 7 Mar. 2024 The bills’ sponsors have said if technology improves, the state could repeal the restrictions. Emily L. Mahoney, Miami Herald, 5 Mar. 2024 Hy-Vee has eight grocery stores currently located across Wisconsin, Hy-Vee is expanding its motorsports presence as the title sponsor of the unique holiday weekend at the historic Milwaukee Mile. Bruce Martin, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024
Verb
Recently, there was a social event sponsored by this group. Jeanne Phillips, The Mercury News, 11 Mar. 2024 And sessions once devoted to little more than passing a budget now broke out into arguments over bills sponsored by new members to prohibit teaching critical race theory and transgender girls from competing in girls’ athletic events. Kate Zernike, New York Times, 10 Mar. 2024 The growing love for pickleball The concept for The Orchard arose when Jigsaw Health sponsored pro tours. Georgann Yara, The Arizona Republic, 7 Mar. 2024 Young Talent Big Dreams Competition: Kids in Miami-Dade County with music, acting, or performing talents can showcase their skills and potentially win big prizes by participating in the Young Talent Big Dreams competition, sponsored by The Trust and Actors’ Playhouse. Juliette Fabien, Miami Herald, 7 Mar. 2024 Assemblymember David Alvarez, D-San Diego, and other San Diego lawmakers sponsored the resolution. Tammy Murga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Mar. 2024 Murray: Jason, thanks for your perspective and thanks for sponsoring Leadership Next. Fortune Editors, Fortune, 28 Feb. 2024 In 1932, the world’s first Water Ski Club was formed there, sponsored by American millionaire Frank Jay Gould. Elizabeth Brownfield, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2024 The Watauga Valley Railroad Historical Society & Museum is sponsoring a spring train excursion on the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad, inviting passengers to celebrate the beauty of the season via vintage train car this May. Meghan Overdeep, Southern Living, 27 Feb. 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 18 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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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