From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishsponsorspon‧sor1 /ˈspɒnsə $ ˈspɑːnsər/ ●○○ noun [countable] 1 PAY FOR a) a person or company that pays for a show, broadcast, sports event etc, especially in exchange for the right to advertise at that eventsponsor of Eastman Kodak is a major sponsor of the Olympics. corporate sponsors b) a person or company that supports someone by paying for their training, education, living costs etc2 PAY FORGIVEsomeone who agrees to give someone else money for a charity if they walk, run etc a particular distance3 PPVsomeone who officially introduces or supports a proposal for a new law4 PGCsomeone who officially agrees to help someone else, or to be responsible for what they do You cannot get a work visa without an American sponsor.5 FAMILYa godparent
Examples from the Corpus
sponsor• Sponsors' corporate logos are placed on the boards surrounding the field.• March has been in financial difficulties for some time and doesn't have a sponsor for this season.• Numerous prizes, generously donated by sponsors, were given out at the end of the day.• This production has cost £50,000, most coming from local sponsors.• Obviously, sponsors have a very important role to play.• The lack of sponsors has meant the taxpayer has had to foot more of the bill.• If the show is too controversial, we'll lose our sponsors.• Similarly a piece written by the magazine staff could have problems for the sponsor.sponsorsponsor2 ●○○ verb [transitive] 1 PAY FORGIVE a) to give money to a sports event, theatre, institution etc, especially in exchange for the right to advertise The competition was sponsored by British Airways. government-sponsored projects b) to support someone by paying for their training, education, living costs etc The bank had offered to sponsor him at university.2 PPVto officially support a proposal for a new law3 to agree to help someone or be responsible for what they do4 GIVEPAY FORto agree to give someone money for charity if they walk, run etc a particular distance5 → sponsored walk/swim etc6 → UN-sponsored/US-sponsored/government-sponsored etc→ See Verb tableExamples from the Corpus
sponsor• The city's 10 leading shopkeepers each sponsor a team.• The bank is sponsoring an art exhibition.• The Compact should, however, be sponsored by a Partnership of Industry and Education.• The new league will be sponsored by Pepsi Cola.• The event, expected to net more than $ 1 million, was sponsored by the Democratic Senate Campaign Committee.• Some of the work is sponsored by the Milka Jacobs Suchard chocolate company.• The race is being sponsored by the Traveler's Club.• Baucus and Chafee sponsored the bill together.• Others who joined in sponsoring the law said it could help curb pinups and other visual imagery that demeans women.From Longman Business Dictionarysponsorspon‧sor1 /ˈspɒnsəˈspɑːnsər/ verb [transitive]1MARKETING to give money to pay for a television programme, a sports or arts event, training etc, in exchange for advertising or to get public attentionThe insurance company sponsored the charity’s first TV campaign.Some of the students are sponsored by engineering firms.a government-sponsored scheme2to officially support a proposal or suggestionThe report was sponsored by 12 top companies.→ See Verb tablesponsorsponsor2 noun [countable]1MARKETING a person or company that pays for a television programme, a sports or arts event, training etc, in exchange for advertising or to get public attentionThe exhibition organizers are now looking for sponsors.2someone who officially introduces or supports a proposal or suggestionOrigin sponsor1 (1600-1700) Latin spondere “to promise” 