cosponsor: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1/C2Formal/Governmental/Business
Quick answer
What does “cosponsor” mean?
A person, group, or organization that shares the official sponsorship of a bill, event, project, or legislation with one or more others.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A person, group, or organization that shares the official sponsorship of a bill, event, project, or legislation with one or more others.
To act as a joint or secondary sponsor; to support or fund something in partnership with another entity.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage and meaning are identical. More frequent in American English due to the structure of the U.S. Congress where bill sponsorship is a formal, public act. In the UK Parliament, the term is understood but 'supporting' or 'backing' a bill is more common phrasing.
Connotations
In both varieties, connotes formal partnership and shared credit/liability. In US politics, being a cosponsor is a recorded legislative action.
Frequency
Substantially more frequent in American English, particularly in news reporting on U.S. politics.
Grammar
How to Use “cosponsor” in a Sentence
to cosponsor [BILL/LEGISLATION] with [PERSON/ORGANIZATION][PERSON/ORGANIZATION] cosponsored [BILL/LEGISLATION]serve as a cosponsor for/of [BILL/LEGISLATION]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “cosponsor” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The MP agreed to cosponsor the environmental amendment.
- Several charities will cosponsor the relief effort.
American English
- Senator Jones will cosponsor the new healthcare bill.
- We are seeking a corporation to cosponsor the research initiative.
adverb
British English
- The bill was introduced cosponsorly by two parties. (Rare/Non-standard)
- N/A
American English
- The legislation moved forward cosponsorly. (Rare/Non-standard)
- N/A
adjective
British English
- He was listed as the cosponsor member for the bill.
- The cosponsor organisations issued a joint statement.
American English
- Her cosponsor status was announced yesterday.
- All cosponsor senators are invited to the briefing.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used for corporate partnerships in funding events, research, or charitable initiatives. 'Three banks agreed to cosponsor the community arts festival.'
Academic
Used for jointly funded research projects or conferences. 'The study was cosponsored by two major universities.'
Everyday
Very rare in casual conversation. Might be used in formal community group settings.
Technical
A formal term in parliamentary procedure and legislative drafting.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “cosponsor”
- Using 'cosponsor' for informal, minor support. Confusing it with 'co-author' or 'co-founder'. Misspelling as 'co-sponsor' (though the hyphenated form is also accepted).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Both 'cosponsor' (closed form) and 'co-sponsor' (hyphenated) are accepted in modern usage, though the closed form is becoming more standard, especially in American English.
Yes, it is commonly used as a verb, especially in political reporting (e.g., 'Five senators cosponsored the bill').
A sponsor is the primary or original supporter/author. A cosponsor is an additional, secondary supporter who joins the sponsorship, sharing the credit and association. A bill can have one sponsor and many cosponsors.
Yes, but less frequently. It is used in business (for jointly funded events or projects), academia (for research grants), and non-profit work. However, its core domain remains legislative and formal organisational contexts.
A person, group, or organization that shares the official sponsorship of a bill, event, project, or legislation with one or more others.
Cosponsor is usually formal/governmental/business in register.
Cosponsor: in British English it is pronounced /kəʊˈspɒnsə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkoʊˌspɑːnsɚ/ or /koʊˈspɑːnsɚ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “No common idioms. The term is largely literal.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'CO-' (together) + 'SPONSOR' (financial/formal supporter) = a supporter who teams up with others.
Conceptual Metaphor
SPONSORSHIP IS SUPPORT; CO-SPONSORSHIP IS A SHARED BURDEN/SHARED CREDIT.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the term 'cosponsor' MOST commonly and precisely used?