godfather: Meaning and Definition of

god•fa•ther

1. a man who serves as sponsor for a child at baptism.
2. any male sponsor or guardian.
3. (often cap.) a powerful leader, esp. of the Mafia.
4. 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.

1. to act as godfather to; be sponsor or protector for.