champion

[ cham-pee-uhn ]

/ ˈtʃæm pi ən /

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noun

a person who has defeated all opponents in a competition or series of competitions, so as to hold first place: the heavyweight boxing champion.

anything that takes first place in competition: the champion of a cattle show.

an animal that has won a certain number of points in officially recognized shows: This dog is a champion.

a person who fights for or defends any person or cause: a champion of the oppressed.

a fighter or warrior.

verb (used with object)

to act as champion of; defend; support: to champion a cause.

Obsolete. to defy.

adjective

first among all contestants or competitors.

Informal. first-rate.

OTHER WORDS FOR champion

1 winner, victor.

4 defender, protector.

6 maintain, fight for, advocate.

See synonyms for champion on Thesaurus.com

OPPOSITES FOR champion

1 loser.

See antonyms for champion on Thesaurus.com

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Origin of champion

1175–1225; Middle English <Old French <Late Latin campiōn- (stem of campiō) <West Germanic *kampiōn-, equivalent to kamp- battle (<Latin campus field, battlefield) + -iōn- noun suffix; compare Old English cempa warrior, etc.

OTHER WORDS FROM champion

cham·pi·on·less, adjectivecham·pi·on·like, adjectivenon·cham·pi·on, nounpre·cham·pi·oned, adjective

un·cham·pi·oned, adjective

Other definitions for champion (2 of 2)

Champion

[ cham-pee-uhn ]

/ ˈtʃæm pi ən /

noun

Gow·er

[gou-er], /ˈgaʊ ər/, 1921–80, U.S. choreographer.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use champion in a sentence

In Heinsohn’s first season, the defending NBA champions missed the playoffs for the first time since 1950.
Tommy Heinsohn, a Celtics institution for more than a half-century, dies at 86|Matt Bonesteel|November 10, 2020|Washington Post
It was among the more pleasant diversions since the outbreak for the coach of the reigning national champions after the NCAA canceled last season’s tournament.
Pickup games, one-on-one and a wedding: How Virginia basketball spent the pandemic|Gene Wang|November 9, 2020|Washington Post
On Monday, the field shrank by one when tournament organizers announced that 2017 champion Sergio Garcia will miss the tournament after testing positive for the coronavirus.
The Masters in 2020 will be unlike any other. Here’s what you need to know.|Matt Bonesteel|November 9, 2020|Washington Post
Masters tournament organizers announced Monday that 2017 champion Sergio Garcia will miss this year’s tournament after testing positive for the coronavirus.
Sergio Garcia to miss the Masters after testing positive for coronavirus|Matt Bonesteel|November 9, 2020|Washington Post

Saturday removed any doubt, however, about the likely SEC East champion’s most obvious strength.
College football winners and losers for Week 10: Florida is fun again and Georgia is done|Patrick Stevens|November 8, 2020|Washington Post
Ironically, as pope, his championing of the poor has given Liberation Theology a new lease on life.
How Pope Francis Became the World’s BFF|Jason Berry|December 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Daniels says, championing the plight of an ethical news producer.
‘Newsroom’ Premiere: Aaron Sorkin Puts CNN on Blast Over the Boston Bombing|Kevin Fallon|November 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Irwin appears to have spent his career championing ideas that were simultaneously perfectly logical and extravagantly bizarre.
Lake Bacon: The Story of The Man Who Wanted Us to Eat Mississippi Hippos|Jon Mooallem|August 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Obama started off well, championing service repeatedly during the 2008 campaign.
It’s Time for Obama to Heed McChrystal’s Call for the ‘Service Year’|Jonathan Alter|June 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST
It features a scantily clad woman wearing a balaclava and holding a sign championing the dissident feminist anti-Putin punk band.
Miley Cyrus Twerking, Usher as Michael Jackson & More Viral Videos|The Daily Beast Video|March 30, 2013|DAILY BEAST
I should have remembered the consequences to the Countess if it were proven that she had been championing a fraud.
In Search of the Unknown|Robert W. Chambers
A noble objection to oppression; a noble championing of the rule of public right—these were the staples of Gladstones prophecy.
The Outline of History: Being a Plain History of Life and Mankind|Herbert George Wells
But in championing one rational virtue they employ two Christian vices, hypocrisy and intolerance.
The Bible|John E. Remsburg
To which Mrs Milvey added, taking thought for him, like the championing little wife she was; 'Oh yes, detained at the last moment.
Our Mutual Friend|Charles Dickens
The sight of the woman he loved championing his foe seemed to madden him.
To Win the Love He Sought|E. Phillips Oppenheim

British Dictionary definitions for champion

champion

/ (ˈtʃæmpɪən) /

noun

a person who has defeated all others in a competitiona chess champion
(as modifier)a champion team

a plant or animal that wins first place in a show, etc
(as modifier)a champion marrow

a person who defends a person or causechampion of the underprivileged

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

adjective

Northern English dialect first rate; excellent

adverb

Northern English dialect very well; excellently

verb (tr)

to support; defendwe champion the cause of liberty

Word Origin for champion

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

champion

OTHER WORDS FOR champion

OPPOSITES FOR champion

Origin of champion

OTHER WORDS FROM champion

Other definitions for champion (2 of 2)

Words related to champion

How to use champion in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for champion

Word Origin for champion