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

Czech boxer Bytyqi is the more experienced fighter as a former WBC world champion, but has fought most of her career at atomweight.

Read more on BBC

Chelsea were favourites heading into the tie, having put nine goals past the Dutch champions across two group-stage meetings last season.

Read more on BBC

This being a show that champions truth, justice and philosophically resonant prose, Lee and his kid skate free of trouble.

Read more on Salon

Someone finally barks “Get him!” as a bunch of agents feebly give chase; the man pedals away like he’s a Tour de France champion with a peloton hot on his trail.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The 25-year-old combines playing for the Cambridgeshire part-timers by speaking up on LGBTQ+ issues and using his profile - he has more than one million followers on Instagram - to champion equality and inclusion.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

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