a person or organization that pays for or contributes to the costs involved in staging a sporting or artistic event in return for advertising

the production cost £50,000, most coming from local sponsors

a person who introduces and supports a proposal for legislation

a leading sponsor of the bill

provide funds for (a project or activity or the person carrying it out)

Joe is being sponsored by a government training scheme

introduce and support (a proposal) in a legislative assembly

a Labour MP sponsored the bill