champion

¹

[cham-pee-uhn]

noun

1. a person who has defeated all opponents in a competition or series of competitions, so as to hold first place.

   the heavyweight boxing champion.

   Synonyms: victor, winner
   Antonyms: loser

2. anything that takes first place in competition.

   the champion of a cattle show.

3. an animal that has won a certain number of points in officially recognized shows.

   This dog is a champion.

4. a person who fights for or defends any person or cause.

   a champion of the oppressed.

   Synonyms: protector, defender

5. a fighter or warrior.

verb (used with object)

1. to act as champion of; defend; support.

   to champion a cause.

   Synonyms: advocate, maintain

2. Obsolete.,  to defy.

adjective

1. first among all contestants or competitors.

2. Informal.,  first-rate.

Champion

²

[cham-pee-uhn]

noun

1. Gower 1921–80, U.S. choreographer.

champion

/ ˈtʃæmpɪən /

noun

1. 1. a person who has defeated all others in a competition

      a chess champion

   2. ( as modifier )

      a champion team

2. 1. a plant or animal that wins first place in a show, etc

   2. ( as modifier )

      a champion marrow

3. a person who defends a person or cause

   champion of the underprivileged

4. (formerly) a warrior or knight who did battle for another, esp a king or queen, to defend their rights or honour

adjective

1. dialect,  first rate; excellent

adverb

1. dialect,  very well; excellently

verb

1. to support; defend

   we champion the cause of liberty

Other Word Forms

• championless adjective
• championlike adjective
• nonchampion noun
• prechampioned adjective
• unchampioned adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of champion¹

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”

Word History and Origins

Origin of champion¹

C13: from Old French, from Late Latin campiō, from Latin campus field, battlefield

Example Sentences

Bass said that the city had “lost one of its greatest champions for justice.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

After Littler found double 16 to complete his memorable win, former world champion Price smiled and applauded from the back of the stage before the pair shared a warm embrace.

Read more on BBC

While his artistic adventurousness may have waxed and waned, John Wilson never failed to champion humanity.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

She has also been a world indoor champion in the flat 400m and is a renowned relay athlete, a gold medallist anchor leg runner with the Netherlands' 4x400m team at Paris 2024.

Read more on BBC

New Zealand, who last year won the T20 World Cup, had found the going tough on India’s sluggish tracks, slipping to defeats in their first two games against defending champions Australia and South Africa.

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

• challenger 
• champ 
• defender 
• hero 
• medalist 
• number one 
• winner