n.
    - a person or organization that pays for or contributes to the costs of an event or broadcast in return for advertising.
 - a person who pledges a sum of money to a charity after another person has participated in a fund-raising event.
 - a person who introduces and supports a proposal for legislation.
 - a person taking official responsibility for the actions of another. 
▸a godparent at a child's baptism.
 ▸(especially in the Roman Catholic Church) a person who presents a candidate for confirmation.
 
v.
 be a sponsor for.
 
  Derivative
  
  Etymology
  C17: from L., from spondere ‘promise solemnly’.