1. a projection from the side of a ship or boat to provide stability or support equipment
Usage: nautical
2. a short wing-like projection on an aircraft fuselage
Usage: aviation
3. a gun platform that projects from the side of a warship
Usage: naval; military

Examples

• The aircraft carrier’s sponson housed additional radar equipment.
• The destroyer’s gun sponson provided a stable firing platform.
• Small sponsons on each side of the hull improved the boat’s stability.
• The seaplane’s sponsons helped it maintain balance on the water.
• Engineers designed the sponson to reduce rolling motion in rough seas.
• The warship’s sponson mounted a defensive weapon system.