Champion

¹ American  

[cham-pee-uhn] / ˈtʃæm pi ən /

noun

1. Gower 1921–80, U.S. choreographer.

---

champion ² American  

[cham-pee-uhn] / ˈtʃæm pi ən /

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 British  

/ 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

Etymology

Origin of champion

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”

Example Sentences

But instead of proverbial smoke rising above Citi Field, Tucker, who turns 29 on Saturday, will land in Chavez Ravine’s batter’s box — the latest marquee free-agent signing by the two-time defending World Series champions.

From Los Angeles Times

Osaka, the Melbourne champion in 2019 and 2021, said: "I just hope to be able to look back on this tournament however it ends and not have any regrets."

From Barron's

He became the first British and only Scottish world champion in WWE history when he first won the belt in 2020.

From BBC

France's 2022 Olympic ice dance champion Gabriella Papadakis has spoken out about the world of figure skating, telling AFP she found herself in "a dangerous situation for my physical and mental health".

From Barron's

Dunn has conducted top orchestras from L.A. to Sydney, and accompanied many pop recording artists in addition to his championing of film music.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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