a person who has defeated all opponents in a competition or series of competitions, so as to hold first place.
the heavyweight boxing champion.
anything that takes first place in competition.
the champion of a cattle show.
an animal that has won a certain number of points in officially recognized shows.
This dog is a champion.
a person who fights for or defends any person or cause.
a champion of the oppressed.
a fighter or warrior.
first among all contestants or competitors.
Informal. first-rate.
a person who has defeated all others in a competition
a chess champion
( as modifier )
a champion team
a plant or animal that wins first place in a show, etc
( as modifier )
a champion marrow
a person who defends a person or cause
champion of the underprivileged
(formerly) a warrior or knight who did battle for another, esp a king or queen, to defend their rights or honour
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”
A champion is a winner, or someone who's really good at something. If you are a champion chess player, you are a superstar! When crowds sing Queen's "We Are the Champions" at football games, they are celebrating the fact that their team won. Champion comes from the Latin word campionem for "gladiator, fighter." Rarr! No need to grab your sword, but a champion is also a person who fights for a cause. If you are the champion of fundraising, you keep pushing to raise money. As a verb, to champion means to protect or fight for something. You champion your little brother by defending him against meanies — no matter what, you are always on his side.
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"She's been through this. She's also a woman. She's played so many matches on tour, she's so experienced. She's a Grand Slam champion."
From BBC • Jun. 23, 2026
Three-time Grand Slam champion Angelique Kerber fared better in her 2024 comeback, but lost in the first round in all three of her major appearances.
From BBC • Jun. 22, 2026
Williams’s return lifts a tournament that needs stardust in the absence of injured two-time champion Carlos Alcaraz.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 22, 2026
Williams’ lengthy hiatus has left her unranked in singles, which could mean early matches against such players as defending champion Iga Swiatek or world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 22, 2026
He therefore exacted first a solemn oath from all that they would champion the cause of Helen’s husband, whoever he might be, if any wrong was done to him through his marriage.
From "Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes" by Edith Hamilton
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
