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

History-making wing Tom Rogers will miss Wales' autumn finale against world champions South Africa on Saturday through injury.

Read more on BBC

Three years later as Dow sat in the Twickenham changing room as a world champion, she knew that her rugby career was now at a close.

Read more on BBC

Nassar excelled in the ring and changed attitudes, becoming a multiple Berlin champion and national title-holder, all while staying true to her beliefs.

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A new “Dancing With the Stars” champion has been crowned.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

But what’s been great is that we are seeing some new good voices being championed, and I’m excited for that.

Read more on Salon

Related Words

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