sponsor

Pronunciation

• IPA: UK /ˈspɒn.sə/, US /ˈspɑːn.sɚ/^[1]

Etymology

It is borrowed from Latin spōnsor (“sponsor at baptism; a surety, guarantor”),^[2][3][4] from spōnsus, past participle of spondēre, to give assurance, promise solemnly (see spouse),^[2][3] from Proto-Italic *spondejo-, to pledge, literally to pour libations,^[3] from Proto-Indo-European *spondeio-, to libate, source also of Greek σπένδειν (spéndein, “to make a drink offering”) (compare spondee).^[3] Spouse, correspond, respond and despond come from the same Latin verb.^[3]

Earliest recorded meaning

A godparent, one who answers for a child at baptism: 1651, the 1650s in Etymonline.^[2][5][3]

Semantic evolution

A person who makes a formal promise on behalf of another is first recorded in 1677, in Miège's dictionary,^[2][5] and the general sense, one who answers for another's conduct, by the 1670s.^[3] The person or firm that pays for a radio broadcast in order to advertise is from 1931, and for television after 1947.^[3][2][5] The verb, to support as a sponsor, is from 1882–84,^[3][2] to pay for a broadcast from 1931,^[3][2] to promote a bill in a legislature by 1961,^[3][5] and to pledge money to fund-raisers by 1967.^[3] Sponsorship is from 1809.^[2]

Timeline

• 1651 – a godparent.^[2]
• 1677 – one who pledges for another.^[2]
• 1809 – sponsorship.^[2]
• 1884 – to sponsor (verb).^[2]
• 1931 – a broadcast sponsor.^[3]
• 1961 – to sponsor a bill.^[3]

Modern meaning

Noun

1. A person or organization that pays for an event, project or broadcast, especially in return for advertising.
2. A person who pledges money to someone taking part in a fund-raising activity.
3. A person who takes responsibility for another, or who vouches for a candidate.
4. A legislator who proposes a bill.
5. A godparent at baptism or confirmation.

Verb

1. To act as a sponsor for.

Word family

• sponsorial
• sponsorship
• unsponsored
• cosponsor

Related words

• spouse
• respond
• correspond
• despond
• spondee

References

1. ^ Jones, Daniel (2011), Cambridge English Pronouncing Dictionary, 18th ed., ed. Peter Roach, Jane Setter and John Esling, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press
2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Barnhart, Robert K. (1988), The Barnhart Dictionary of Etymology
3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
4. ^ Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary (2024), online ed., Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster
5. ^ a b c d Simpson, J. A.; Weiner, E. S. C., eds. (1989), The Oxford English Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Clarendon Press