[spon.sor] n [LL, fr. L, guarantor, surety, fr. spondere to promise--more at spouse] (1651) 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; esp: one that pays the cost of a radio or television program usu. in return for advertising time during its course -- spon.so.ri.al adj -- spon.sor.ship n
[2]sponsor vt spon.sored ; spon.sor.ing (1884): to be or stand sponsor for