champion

¹

[cham-pee-uhn]

noun

1. a person who has defeated all opponents in a competition or series of competitions, so as to hold first place.

   the heavyweight boxing champion.

   Synonyms: victor, winner
   Antonyms: loser

2. anything that takes first place in competition.

   the champion of a cattle show.

3. an animal that has won a certain number of points in officially recognized shows.

   This dog is a champion.

4. a person who fights for or defends any person or cause.

   a champion of the oppressed.

   Synonyms: protector, defender

5. a fighter or warrior.

verb (used with object)

1. to act as champion of; defend; support.

   to champion a cause.

   Synonyms: advocate, maintain

2. Obsolete.,  to defy.

adjective

1. first among all contestants or competitors.

2. Informal.,  first-rate.

Champion

²

[cham-pee-uhn]

noun

1. Gower 1921–80, U.S. choreographer.

champion

/ ˈtʃæmpɪən /

noun

1. 1. a person who has defeated all others in a competition

      a chess champion

   2. ( as modifier )

      a champion team

2. 1. a plant or animal that wins first place in a show, etc

   2. ( as modifier )

      a champion marrow

3. a person who defends a person or cause

   champion of the underprivileged

4. (formerly) a warrior or knight who did battle for another, esp a king or queen, to defend their rights or honour

adjective

1. dialect,  first rate; excellent

adverb

1. dialect,  very well; excellently

verb

1. to support; defend

   we champion the cause of liberty

Other Word Forms

• championless adjective
• championlike adjective
• nonchampion noun
• prechampioned adjective
• unchampioned adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of champion¹

First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English, from Old French, from Late Latin campiōn-, stem of campiō “combatant in an arena duel,” from West Germanic kampiōn- (unrecorded); equivalent to Latin camp(us) “field, battlefield” + -iō, noun suffix; compare Old English cempa “warrior”

Word History and Origins

Origin of champion¹

C13: from Old French, from Late Latin campiō, from Latin campus field, battlefield

Example Sentences

Littler became the youngest world champion, aged 17, when he beat Dutchman Van Gerwen in January's final.

Read more on BBC

Dallas were down and out at 21-0 down against the reigning Super Bowl champions, so how on earth did they produce their joint-best comeback ever?

Read more on BBC

That meltdown by the defending Super Bowl champions positioned the surging Rams to move to the top of the NFC.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

But Namibia, which is championing the proposal, insists funds are needed to avoid "progressive removal of rhinos from the landscape, shrinking habitat, and weakening national metapopulations".

Read more on Barron's

Greaves had posted a thrilling 6-5 victory over world champion Luke Littler last month to become the first woman to reach the World Youth final.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• challenger 
• champ 
• defender 
• hero 
• medalist 
• number one 
• winner