Champlain

American  

[sham-pleyn, shahn-plan] / ʃæmˈpleɪn, ʃɑ̃ˈplɛ̃ /

noun

1. Samuel de 1567–1635, French explorer in the Americas: founder of Quebec; first colonial governor 1633–35.

2. Lake, a lake between New York and Vermont. 125 miles (200 km) long; about 600 sq. mi. (1,550 sq. km).

---

Champlain ¹ British  

/ ʃæmˈpleɪn /

noun

1. a lake in the northeastern US, between the Green Mountains and the Adirondack Mountains: linked by the Champlain Canal to the Hudson River and by the Richelieu River to the St Lawrence; a major communications route in colonial times

---

Champlain ² British  

/ ʃæmˈpleɪn, ʃɑ̃plɛ̃ /

noun

1. Samuel de (samyɛl də). ?1567–1635, French explorer; founder of Quebec (1608) and governor of New France (1633–35)

---

Example Sentences

Sunk then and recovered in 1935 from the bottom of Lake Champlain, the boat is now in perilous condition.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 10, 2026

My writer’s group had rented a lake house in Vermont this past June on an island in the middle of Lake Champlain, where shorebirds and ducklings paddled past.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 19, 2024

Lake Champlain Chocolates in Vermont has begun hiring retirees like Jacques Demers for seasonal positions.Credit...

From New York Times • Nov. 12, 2023

Judith Mitrani-Reiser, the Champlain Towers investigative team lead, said 24 computer hard drives have been recovered that might have video or other evidence that could help explain what happened.

From Seattle Times • Sep. 7, 2023

In 1605 and 1606 Samuel de Champlain, the famous explorer, visited Cape Cod, hoping to establish a French base.

From "1491" by Charles C. Mann