champ

¹

[champ, chomp]

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.

verb (used without object)

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

noun

1. the act of champing.

champ

²

[champ]

noun

Informal.

1. a champion.

champ

¹

/ 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

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

/ tʃæmp /

noun

1. informal,  short for champion

Other Word Forms

• champer noun
• champy adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of champ¹

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

Origin of champ²

By shortening

Word History and Origins

Origin of champ¹

C16: probably of imitative origin

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

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

More idioms and phrases containing champ

• like a champ

Example Sentences

Thousands of fans began to line the streets in downtown Los Angeles early Monday, hoping to get a glimpse of the city’s back-to-back World Series champs.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

"I just want to be active. I think one of the things about the heavyweight champ is, they've not been very active," said Aspinall.

Read more on BBC

Sinner, the top seed, was a mild favorite heading into the final, as he is a known monster on hard courts, and the Open’s defending champ.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

“The Late Show” was up against “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” and defending champ “The Daily Show” in the category.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Then came the divisional round in Philadelphia, a game nearly stolen from the eventual Super Bowl champs but for two plays and 13 yards.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• chomp