champ

¹

[ champ, chomp ]

verb (used with object)

1. to bite upon or grind, especially impatiently:

   The horses champed the oats.

2. to crush with the teeth and chew vigorously or noisily; munch.
3. to mash; crush.

verb (used without object)

1. to make vigorous chewing or biting movements with the jaws and teeth.

noun

1. the act of champing.

champ

²

[ champ ]

noun

, Informal.

1. a champion.

champ

¹

/ tʃæmp /

noun

1. informal.
   short for champion

champ

²

/ tʃæmp /

verb

1. to munch (food) noisily like a horse
2. whenintr, often foll by on, at, etc to bite (something) nervously or impatiently; gnaw
3. champ at the bit or chafe at the bit informal.
   to be impatient to start work, a journey, etc

noun

1. the act or noise of champing
2. dialect.
   a dish, originating in Ireland, of mashed potatoes and spring onions or leeks

Derived Forms

• ˈchamper, noun

Other Words From

• champer noun
• champy adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of champ¹

1520–30; perhaps akin to chap ¹; chop ¹

Origin of champ²

By shortening

Word History and Origins

Origin of champ¹

C16: probably of imitative origin

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. champ at the bit, to betray impatience, as to begin some action.

More idioms and phrases containing champ

In addition to the idiom beginning with champ , also see like a champ .

Example Sentences

After a week where Donald Trump unveiled one of the strangest Cabinets in recent memory, "Saturday Night Live" was champing at the bit.

From Salon

The 27-year-old Paul merely had to withstand an intense burst of activity from the former undisputed heavyweight champ in the second round, then outlast the visibly winded Tyson.

From Salon

On one hand, only the Lakers and the Celtics were able to celebrate as champs last year.

From Los Angeles Times

He has made it plain that he is champing at the bit to oversee Trump's massive deportation plan, revealing that wholesale deportations are the goal.

From Salon

Even shorthanded on offense and defense, the Chargers jumped to a 10-0 lead on the two-time defending Super Bowl champs before the Chiefs came back to win.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• chomp