English · Word Candidate

sponsor

/ˈspɒn.səː/

Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.

Also seen as: sponsors · sponsoring

Sense 1

Meaning · English

A person or organization with some sort of responsibility for another person or organization, especially where the responsibility has a religious, legal, or financial aspect.

Noun

Examples

He was my sponsor when I applied to join the club.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 2

Meaning · English

A person or organization with some sort of responsibility for another person or organization, especially where the responsibility has a religious, legal, or financial aspect. — A senior member of a twelve step or similar program chosen to guide an initiate and form a partnership with them.

Noun

Examples

My narcotics anonymous sponsor became my best friend when I finally was able to do something about my meth problem.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 3

Meaning · English

To be a sponsor for.

Verb

Examples

Like most human activities, ballooning has sponsored heroes and hucksters and a good deal in between. For every dedicated scientist patiently recording atmospheric pressure and wind speed while shivering at high altitudes, there is a carnival barker with a bevy of pretty girls willing to dangle from

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

What does “sponsor” mean?

A person or organization with some sort of responsibility for another person or organization, especially where the responsibility has a religious, legal, or financial aspect.

Is “sponsor” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.