sponsor
sponsor — noun
1. a person, company, or organization that provides money to support another person
a person, company, or organization that provides money to support another person, an event, or an activity, often in exchange for public recognition
The museum's main sponsor is a foundation that supports the arts in Asia.
collocation: main sponsor
Kenji found a sponsor to pay for his design course at a school in Tokyo.
All sponsors of the charity gala are thanked in the evening's programme.
The local supermarket acted as the main sponsor for the summer festival.
- backer
less formal, often for startups or creative projects
- patron
long-term supporter of the arts or cultural institutions, more formal
- benefactor
gives money without expecting anything in return, generous tone
- opponent
someone who actively works against a project or organization
用法筆記
For a company that pays for a sports event or sportsperson in return for advertising, see the related sense FINANCIAL SUPPORTER under the verb entry.
常見錯誤
2. someone who promises a donation when a participant completes a charity event lik
someone who promises a donation when a participant completes a charity event like a run, walk, or swim in support of a charitable purpose
Zola collected donations from her sponsors after finishing the ten-kilometre charity run.
Each sponsor signed a form promising to give a fixed amount per lap swum.
pattern: each sponsor + verb
The children wrote thank-you letters to everyone who had been their sponsor for the school fundraiser.
David's sponsor form listed fifteen people who each pledged five dollars per kilometre.
用法筆記
The money is typically collected only after the person completes the challenge. Often used with the phrase 'sponsor form' or 'sponsorship form.'
常見錯誤
3. a politician or lawmaker who writes a proposed new law (a bill) and works to gai
a politician or lawmaker who writes a proposed new law (a bill) and works to gain support for it in the legislative body
The sponsor of the bill answered questions from the other members of parliament.
pattern: sponsor of [the] bill
As the main sponsor of the education reform law, Asher argued for its approval for several months.
The new climate bill has three sponsors from different political parties.
The committee heard testimony from the sponsor of the proposed healthcare bill.
- opponent
a legislator who votes or speaks against the bill
用法筆記
Frequently used in the context of parliamentary or congressional procedures. A sponsor may also be called the 'chief sponsor' if they are the lead proposer of the bill.
4. a person or organisation that accepts legal or financial responsibility for anot
a person or organisation that accepts legal or financial responsibility for another individual, for example by supporting their visa or residency application
The university acted as Rafael's sponsor for his student visa application.
collocation: act as sponsor for
An employer must be your sponsor if you apply for this type of work permit.
The charity agreed to serve as a sponsor for the refugee family's resettlement process.
Without a local sponsor, it is very difficult to obtain a work visa in this country.
用法筆記
Common in immigration law: a sponsor guarantees financial support and legal responsibility for an applicant. The sponsor may have to cover costs if the person cannot support themselves.
5. someone who makes a solemn promise during a Christian baptism ceremony to help g
someone who makes a solemn promise during a Christian baptism ceremony to help guide the religious and moral development of the child being baptised
Shirin asked her best friend to be the sponsor for her baby's baptism.
collocation: sponsor for baptism
The sponsor promised to guide the child in matters of faith and daily life.
At the ceremony each sponsor stood beside the parents and made a promise to support the child.
用法筆記
In many Christian traditions the terms 'godparent' and 'sponsor' are used interchangeably, though 'sponsor' is preferred in some denominations such as Catholicism.
sponsor — verb
1. to give financial support for a person's studies, professional training, or a sp
to give financial support for a person's studies, professional training, or a specific project or programme, usually because you see it as worthwhile
The government sponsors talented students to study engineering at top universities abroad.
pattern: sponsor + someone + to-infinitive
A local tech company sponsored a free coding class for teenagers last summer.
Élise's employer agreed to sponsor her training as a professional pastry chef.
This research programme is sponsored by a foundation that funds medical innovation.
文法句型
sponsor + noun phrase
be sponsored + by + noun
用法筆記
The subject is usually a company, organisation, or government body. When applied to individuals, the money typically covers tuition, living costs, or specific training fees.
常見錯誤
2. to cover the expenses of an event, performance, team, or athlete so that your co
to cover the expenses of an event, performance, team, or athlete so that your company's name or products receive public exposure as advertising
A large sports brand has sponsored the city's annual marathon for five years.
collocation: sponsor + annual event
Dahlia's energy-drink company sponsors a young tennis player from Brazil.
The concert was sponsored by a phone manufacturer whose logo appeared on all the posters.
Linh's favourite football team is sponsored by an international airline.
文法句型
sponsor + noun phrase
用法筆記
Distinguish from the PAY FOR sense: here the sponsor's primary goal is advertising visibility, not educational or charitable support. The sponsored party is typically a public event, team, or athlete.
3. to commit to donating a sum to a person who undertakes a charity challenge, with
to commit to donating a sum to a person who undertakes a charity challenge, with the amount calculated by how much they achieve — such as per kilometre run or per lap swum
Emre agreed to sponsor Greta for every kilometre she runs in the charity race.
pattern: sponsor someone for every [unit]
Stefan's colleagues sponsored his climb up Mount Kilimanjaro to raise money for clean water.
Would you sponsor me if I walked from London to Brighton for cancer research?
The school principal sponsored each student who completed the sponsored readathon.
文法句型
sponsor + someone + to-infinitive
用法筆記
Especially common in British English for school fundraisers and charity challenges. The amount is often given 'per unit' (per mile, per lap, per hour) rather than as a fixed donation.
常見錯誤
4. to formally introduce a proposed new law (a bill) in a legislative body and work
to formally introduce a proposed new law (a bill) in a legislative body and work to persuade others to support it
The senator sponsored a bill to reduce the amount of plastic waste in rivers and oceans.
collocation: sponsor a bill
Representatives from both parties sponsored the education funding act together last year.
Brian sponsored an amendment that would increase penalties for corporate pollution.
The bill was sponsored by a cross-party group of MPs who wanted to reform the healthcare system.
- oppose
to work against a bill or amendment
文法句型
sponsor + bill / legislation / amendment
用法筆記
In parliamentary systems, the sponsor is the member who introduces the bill. Other members who add their names in support are 'co-sponsors.'
5. to arrange and provide support for formal discussions or negotiations between di
to arrange and provide support for formal discussions or negotiations between different groups, often acting as a neutral organiser
The United Nations sponsored peace talks between the two neighbouring countries.
collocation: sponsor peace talks
A neutral organisation sponsored discussions to resolve the long-running trade dispute.
The conference on climate action was sponsored by an independent research institute.
The regional government sponsored a series of meetings between community leaders and local officials.
文法句型
sponsor + talks / discussions / negotiations
用法筆記
The sponsor here is typically a government body, international organisation, or neutral institution that both funds and convenes the talks. The goal is facilitating agreement, not commercial gain.
6. to officially accept legal or financial responsibility for someone, especially b
to officially accept legal or financial responsibility for someone, especially by supporting their application for a visa, residency, or membership
Kenji's tech company sponsored his work visa so he could join their team in Singapore.
The charity agreed to sponsor the refugee family's application for permanent residence.
collocation: sponsor an application
Romi's application for a skilled worker visa was sponsored by a hospital in Toronto.
Adisa's brother in Germany sponsored his language course attendance for the visa process.
- vouch for
less formal, can be used in non-legal contexts
- guarantee
stronger commitment, usually financial
- stand surety for
formal legal term
文法句型
sponsor + someone
be sponsored + by + someone
用法筆記
In immigration contexts, the sponsor must often provide a written guarantee and evidence of sufficient income to support the applicant if needed.
常見錯誤
7. to act as a godparent for someone at a Christian baptism ceremony, promising to
to act as a godparent for someone at a Christian baptism ceremony, promising to help guide them in their religious and moral development
Sana asked her brother to sponsor her daughter at the baptism ceremony.
collocation: sponsor [someone] at baptism
Christopher sponsored his nephew's baptism and promised to guide him in matters of faith.
The priest asked who had agreed to sponsor the child before the baptism began.
- godparent
the more widely used everyday term in English
- stand as godparent
phrasal expression, more descriptive
文法句型
sponsor + someone + at baptism
用法筆記
In Catholic and some Anglican traditions, the formal term at baptism is 'sponsor' rather than 'godparent,' though the two words are often used interchangeably in everyday speech.