champaign
noun
level, open country; plain.
champaign
1 American
[sham-payn]
/ ʃæmˈpeɪn /
noun
-
level, open country; plain.
-
Obsolete. a battlefield.
adjective
Champaign
2
American
[sham-payn]
/ ʃæmˈpeɪn /
noun
champaign
British
/ ʃæmˈpeɪn /
noun
-
Also called: campagna. an expanse of open level or gently undulating country
-
an obsolete word for battlefield
Etymology
Origin of champaign
1350–1400; Middle English champai ( g ) ne < Middle French champa ( i ) gne < Latin campānia; see campaign
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
I have a roster of great wines that start around $7 or $8 and go to $13 -- my limit, unless it's champaign.
From New York Times ● Jan. 12, 2017
The newly engaged couple appeared on Fox 5’s “Good Day DC” Monday morning, where the staff feted them with cake and champaign.
From Washington Times ● Nov. 2, 2015
In November came the U.S. invasion of North Africa and a sudden, inordinate drain on Eastern oil stocks; as the North African champaign became more complicated, the drain increased.
From Time Magazine Archive
They removed thence to the town where the cacique was wont to lie, because it was in a champaign country.
From A Narrative of the expedition of Hernando de Soto into Florida published at Evora in 1557 by A Gentleman of Elvas [pseud.]
And along this river from Aquixo to Pacaha, and Coligoa, are 150 leagues: the country is plain, and the woods thin, and in some places champaign, very fruitful and pleasant.
From A Narrative of the expedition of Hernando de Soto into Florida published at Evora in 1557 by A Gentleman of Elvas [pseud.]
Scientists at the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign have uncovered evidence that could reshape how researchers think about both the brain and artificial intelligence.
From Science Daily ● Jul. 13, 2026
The Bruins will next travel to Champaign, Ill., to compete in the Big Ten Conference championship meet.
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 15, 2026
Two bars, both alike in dignity, in fair Champaign, Illinois, where we lay our scene.
From Slate ● Dec. 14, 2025
The Champaign County GOP in Illinois is planning its annual fall festival that night.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 18, 2025
That was when I was up in Champaign.
From Slave Narratives: A Folk History of Slavery in the United States from Interviews with Former Slaves, Arkansas Narratives, Part 4 by Work Projects Administration
Random Word
Spin the wheel and learn a new word!
Get a wordDefinitions 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.
