champ

¹ American  

[champ, chomp] / tʃæmp, tʃɒmp /

verb (used with object)

1. to bite upon or grind, especially impatiently.

   The horses champed the oats.

2. to crush with the teeth and chew vigorously or noisily; munch.

3. to mash; crush.

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verb (used without object)

1. to make vigorous chewing or biting movements with the jaws and teeth.

noun

1. the act of champing.

idioms

1. champ at the bit, to betray impatience, as to begin some action.

champ ² American  

[champ] / tʃæmp /

noun

Informal.

1. a champion.

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champ ¹ British  

/ tʃæmp /

verb

1. to munch (food) noisily like a horse

2. to bite (something) nervously or impatiently; gnaw

3. informal to be impatient to start work, a journey, etc

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noun

1. the act or noise of champing

2. dialect a dish, originating in Ireland, of mashed potatoes and spring onions or leeks

champ ² British  

/ tʃæmp /

noun

1. informal short for champion

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champ More Idioms  

More idioms and phrases containing champ

• like a champ

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Other Word Forms

• champer noun
• champy adjective

Etymology

Origin of champ¹

1520–30; perhaps akin to chap ¹; chop ¹

Origin of champ²

By shortening

Explanation

A champ is someone who wins a contest or a prize. The winner of an elementary school fifty-yard dash is a champ. Champ is shorthand for champion — in other words, a winner or a victor. You might describe your favorite football team as a bunch of champs after they win the World Series. Another way to use the word champ is as a verb meaning "chomp," especially the way a horse bites nervously or eagerly at its bit. The original meaning of champ is "chew noisily," and the biting horse definition came next, in the 1600's.

Example Sentences

Watch out, Arnold Schwarzenegger — there’s a new champ in the family.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 9, 2026

As an early 2000s champ in the sport, Mullin boasted an undefeated 5-0 record and the Oklahoma chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame inducted him in 2016.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 26, 2026

Sticking only with the U.S. and just plucking a ticker symbol out of a hat would put the probability of picking the coming century’s champ at barely 0.02%.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 23, 2026

"When I was a kid I used to eat champ by the bowlful, so trying to tie in a little bit of my upbringing there," he said.

From BBC • Mar. 18, 2026

“Whatever else they say about me, champ, I do keep my promises.”

From "Flush" by Carl Hiaasen

Related Words

• chomp