champ

1
[ champ, chomp ]
See synonyms for: champchamper on Thesaurus.com

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.

  1. to mash; crush.

verb (used without object)
  1. to make vigorous chewing or biting movements with the jaws and teeth.

noun
  1. the act of champing.

Idioms about champ

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

Origin of champ

1
1520–30; perhaps akin to chap1; see chop1

Other words from champ

  • champer, noun
  • champy, adjective

Other definitions for champ (2 of 2)

champ2
[ champ ]

nounInformal.
  1. a champion.

Origin of champ

2
By shortening

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use champ in a sentence

  • I thought the champing would have roused the Queen who hath been watching all the day.

    The Royal Pawn of Venice | Mrs. Lawrence Turnbull
  • The high-spirited mules were at the door, impatiently champing their bits.

    The Complete Works of Artemus Ward | Charles Farrar Browne (AKA Artemus Ward)
  • There was a loud champing sound outside, and occasionally growls or grumbling.

    Two Little Savages | Ernest Thompson Seton
  • Guy was making a failure of the fire, and the Bear began nosing nearer, champing his teeth and grunting.

    Two Little Savages | Ernest Thompson Seton

British Dictionary definitions for champ (1 of 2)

champ1

/ (tʃæmp) /


verb
  1. to munch (food) noisily like a horse

  2. (when intr, often foll by on, at, etc) to bite (something) nervously or impatiently; gnaw

  1. champ at the bit or chafe at the bit informal to be impatient to start work, a journey, etc

noun
  1. the act or noise of champing

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

Origin of champ

1
C16: probably of imitative origin

Derived forms of champ

  • champer, noun

British Dictionary definitions for champ (2 of 2)

champ2

/ (tʃæmp) /


noun
  1. informal short for champion (def. 1)

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Idioms and Phrases with champ

champ

In addition to the idiom beginning with champ

  • champ at the bit

also see:

  • like a champ

The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.