sponsor

Pronunciation: /ˈspɒnsə/

Definition of sponsor

1a person or organization that pays for or contributes to the costs involved in staging a sporting or artistic event in return for advertising: the production cost £50,000, most coming from local sponsors
a person who pledges to donate a certain amount of money to another person after they have participated in a fundraising event organized on behalf of a charity.
chiefly US a business or organization that pays for or contributes to the costs of a radio or television programme in return for advertising: NBC found a sponsor willing to put the election up on prime time

2a person who introduces and supports a proposal for legislation:a leading sponsor of the bill
a person taking official responsibility for the actions of another:they act as sponsors and contacts for new immigrants
a godparent at a child’s baptism.
(especially in the Roman Catholic Church) a person presenting a candidate for confirmation: Paul has asked me to be his sponsor for confirmation next month

[with object]

1provide funds for (a project or activity or the person carrying it out):Joe is being sponsored by a government training scheme
pay some or all of the costs involved in staging (a sporting or artistic event) in return for advertising: the event is sponsored by Cathay Pacific
pledge to donate a certain sum of money to (someone) after they have participated in a fundraising event for charity: she wishes to thank all those people who sponsored her
(often as adjective sponsored) pledge to donate money to a participant in (a fund-raising event):they raised £70 by a sponsored walk

2introduce and support (a proposal) in a legislative assembly:a Labour MP sponsored the bill
propose and organize (negotiations or talks) between other people or groups:the USA sponsored negotiations between the two sides

Origin:

mid 17th century (as a noun): from Latin, from spondere 'promise solemnly'. The verb dates from the late 19th century

The ending of sponsor is spelled -or.

Definition of sponsor in the US English dictionary