champ

¹ American  

[champ, chomp] / tʃæmp, tʃɒmp /

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.

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verb (used without object)

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

noun

1. the act of champing.

idioms

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

champ ² American  

[champ] / tʃæmp /

noun

Informal.

1. a champion.

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champ ¹ British  

/ 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

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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 British  

/ tʃæmp /

noun

1. informal short for champion

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champ More Idioms  

More idioms and phrases containing champ

• like a champ

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Other Word Forms

• champer
  noun
• champy
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of champ¹

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

Origin of champ²

By shortening

Explanation

A champ is someone who wins a contest or a prize. The winner of an elementary school fifty-yard dash is a champ. Champ is shorthand for champion — in other words, a winner or a victor. You might describe your favorite football team as a bunch of champs after they win the World Series. Another way to use the word champ is as a verb meaning "chomp," especially the way a horse bites nervously or eagerly at its bit. The original meaning of champ is "chew noisily," and the biting horse definition came next, in the 1600's.

Example Sentences

She says having a world champ dad comes with plenty of photos and videos of his success, and some handy tips.

From BBC • May 21, 2026

Hard to choose between her, last year’s champ Hannah Einbinder and ‘Shrinking’s’ fabulous Jessica Williams.

From Los Angeles Times • May 20, 2026

"When I was a kid I used to eat champ by the bowlful, so trying to tie in a little bit of my upbringing there," he said.

From BBC • Mar. 18, 2026

“If you can’t do a hundred push-ups or a hundred squats, you’re in for a bad day,” Hyrox champ McIntyre said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 27, 2026

Restless horses champ at their bits; they don’t “chomp.” come to a head.

From "Woe Is I" by Patricia T. O'Conner

Related Words

• chomp