champagne

¹ American  

[sham-peyn] / ʃæmˈpeɪn /

noun

1. (initial capital letter) the sparkling, dry, white table wine from the region of Champagne in France.

2. a similar sparkling wine produced elsewhere.

3. (formerly) the nonsparkling, dry, white table wine produced in the region of Champagne in France.

4. a very pale yellow or greenish-yellow color.

5. anything considered the best or luxurious.

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adjective

1. having the color of champagne.

2. luxurious or expensive.

   champagne tastes.

Champagne ² American  

[sham-peyn, shahn-pan-y^uh] / ʃæmˈpeɪn, ʃɑ̃ˈpan yə /

noun

1. a region and former province in NE France.

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champagne British  

/ ʃæmˈpeɪn /

noun

1. (sometimes capital) a white sparkling wine produced around Reims and Epernay, France

2. (loosely) any effervescent white wine

3. 1. a colour varying from a pale orange-yellow to a greyish-yellow

   2. ( as adjective )

      a champagne carpet

4. (modifier) denoting a luxurious lifestyle

   a champagne capitalist

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Etymology

Origin of champagne

First recorded in 1655–65; after Champagne

Example Sentences

As many of you who clock dozens of business flights a year know, predeparture champagne and the most comfortable lie-flat seat aren’t going to save the day if you can’t work.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 1, 2026

Through Valerie, Kudrow slyly performs our terminal habit of downgrading devastating developments to champagne problems, merrily chirping her character’s catchphrase, “How’s that?”

From Salon • Mar. 26, 2026

But read the fine print before you pop the champagne.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 16, 2026

When Farahanipour heard about Khamenei’s death, he popped the cork from a champagne bottle and celebrated “the happiest moment of my life.”

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 7, 2026

I look it over: Sacher torte, pink champagne, crème de menthe, chocolate ganache.

From "Piecing Me Together" by Renée Watson

Related Words

• bubbly
• wine