I. ˈspän(t)sə(r) noun
( -s )
Etymology: Latin, from sponsus (past participle of spondēre ) + -or — more at spouse
1. Roman law : one who binds himself to answer for another's default : surety
2. : one who without request intervenes in behalf of another
3.
[Late Latin, from Latin, surety]
: one who at the baptism of an infant or child professes the Christian faith in its name, and guarantees its religious education ; also : one who presents a candidate for confirmation to the bishop : godparent
4. : one who assumes responsibility for some other person or thing: as
a. : one who presents and supports a legislative proposal
b. : an experienced salesclerk or salesperson who instructs and supervises new selling employees
c. : a teacher acting as adviser to a specified student activity
sponsor to a student council
homeroom sponsor
sponsor for a class dance
d. : one who assumes responsibility for a paroled delinquent
5.
a. : a corporation that organizes and usually manages the distribution of the shares of an open-end investment trust
b. : an investment banker who underwrites and distributes a security issue
6. : a business firm or a person who pays a broadcaster and the performer for a radio or television program that is not in itself commercial with the understanding that a limited portion of the time allotted is devoted to advertising a commercial product
II. transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
: to be or stand sponsor for : accept responsibility for