<p><strong>Noun</strong></p><ul><li>A man who serves as sponsor for a child at baptism.</li><li>Any male sponsor or guardian.</li><li>(Often initial capital letter) A powerful leader, especially of the Mafia.</li><li>A person who is regarded as the originator or principal shaper of a movement, school of thought, art form, industry, or the like: the godfather of abstract expressionism.</li></ul><p><strong>Verb</strong></p><ul><li>(Used with object) To act as godfather to; be sponsor or protector for.</li></ul>