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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Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
"They're not giving too much away over there but all the rumours are that it's going to be announced at some stage," said the 2019 Open champion.
From BBC ● Jul. 15, 2026
Even the country’s athletes—once prized showcases of national prowess and beneficiaries of government support—are struggling to survive, said Yesenia Kindelán, a Cuban national judo champion and the wife of the baseball player, Jorge Ruiz.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 14, 2026
Before dropping out, Platner had begun to argue that he would champion reproductive rights in the Senate, touting an endorsement from Planned Parenthood and calling the health provider a model organization.
From Salon ● Jul. 14, 2026
"The course is primed for an amazing week. It's as linksy as links gets," 2014 champion Rory McIlroy told BBC Sport's Iain Carter.
From BBC ● Jul. 14, 2026
The longtime champion often lapsed into time pressure, barely making the control.
From "Endgame" by Frank Brady
It handles design, permitting, transportation and installation but farms the construction to large producers such as Champion Homes, a manufacturer that works with multiple retailers.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 7, 2026
The fund known as Champ—an acronym for Champion Athlete Managing Partner—and a handful of other investors are putting nearly $50 million in Rhoback, according to people familiar with the matter.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 15, 2026
Williams, from Cheshire, first started karting in 2021 and was the 2025 British Open Champion, O plate winner in the Italian Waterswift Series and was fifth in the European Waterswift Championship.
From BBC ● Apr. 23, 2026
This year, favourites have consistently failed to deliver, including Majborough which trailed home near the back of the field after going off as odd-on favourite in the Champion Chase.
From BBC ● Mar. 13, 2026
No one touched the fallen Champion, who lay facedown, his hand still outstretched toward the glass door.
From "Throne of Glass" by Sarah J. Maas
The pair will resume one of international football's most storied rivalries at the Atlanta Stadium, as England bid to defeat the defending champions and reach their first World Cup final since 1966.
From BBC ● Jul. 14, 2026
Despite injuries and a slump from their stars, the two-time defending World Series champions reached the All-Star break with MLB’s best record—and they’re about to get even better.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 14, 2026
"What he cares about is taking this generation to become world champions," said Bartoli.
From BBC ● Jul. 14, 2026
If France wins its next two games, he’ll become the second man to coach two World Cup champions.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 13, 2026
“McGonagall says the champions get awarded points according to how well they’ve done the tasks.”
From "Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire" by J. K. Rowling
Before that she spent a decade at Meta, where she championed the company's pivot to video.
From Barron's ● Jul. 9, 2026
He championed progressive policies like universal health care and affordable housing, and won over many frustrated Democratic voters with his critique of the party's establishment.
From BBC ● Jul. 9, 2026
He first championed the idea in a report for the EU’s executive arm, the European Commission, two years ago.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 6, 2026
Earlier this year, the influential 62-year-old celebrated 30 years at the BBC - including on 1Xtra - where he has championed black music on the UK.
From BBC ● Jun. 26, 2026
The union championed other progressive groups as well.
From "The Best of Enemies" by Osha Gray Davidson
Among Western companies, France's Mistral stands largely alone in championing open models.
From Barron's ● Jul. 9, 2026
Despite Deena’s reassurance and Jake’s championing, Maddie can’t see herself as one of GourMaybe’s recipe developers.
From Salon ● Jun. 22, 2026
The Conservative candidate for the Makerfield by-election has promised to dedicate his time to championing the community rather than using the contest as a "stepping stone".
From BBC ● Jun. 2, 2026
The limb I’m happy to go out on: championing Ashley Padilla for her breakout year on ‘Saturday Night Live.’
From Los Angeles Times ● May 20, 2026
"My lady, I beg the boon of championing your cause."
From "A Game of Thrones" by George R.R. Martin
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.
