godfather Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun any man who serves as a sponsor for a child at baptism
  2. noun someone having a relation analogous to that of a male sponsor to his godchild

WordNet

God"fa`ther noun
Etymology
AS. godfæder. Cf. Gossip.
Definitions
  1. A man who becomes sponsor for a child at baptism, and makes himself a surety for its Christian training and instruction.
    There shall be for every Male-child to be baptized, when they can be had, two Godfathers and one Godmother; and for every Female, one Godfather and two Godmothers; and Parents shall be admitted as Sponsors, if it is desired. Book of Common Prayer (Prot. Episc. Ch., U. S. ).
God"fa`ther transitive verb
Definitions
  1. To act as godfather to; to take under one's fostering care. R. Burke.

Webster 1913