1 a person or an organization that helps to pay for a special sports event, etc (usually so that it can advertise its products) （体育活动等的）赞助人，赞助商 ☞Look at patron. 参看patron。

2 a person who agrees to pay money to a charity if sb else completes a particular activity 慈善活动赞助人 sponsor verb [T] a sponsored walk to raise money for children in need 为贫困儿童筹款而举行的赞助步行 ➔sponsorship noun [U]: Many theatres depend on industry for sponsorship. 许多剧院都依赖工商界资助。