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: defender, protector

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. Gow·er [gou, -er], 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 Words From

• champi·on·less adjective
• champi·on·like adjective
• non·champi·on noun
• pre·champi·oned adjective
• un·champi·oned 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

This is the sixth occasion a team has been five points clear after 11 games - the first five all ended up as champions.

From BBC

Warren Gatland says he wants to continue as Wales head coach as he prepares to face world champions South Africa in Cardiff on Saturday.

From BBC

"I asked one fan what did that chant mean? And he said, that's it's a Real Madrid chant, that we are champions," he said.

From BBC

"We know what a quality side South Africa are and the physicality they bring. This week we need to show real courage and front up against the world champions."

From BBC

It was one of the biggest moments of the postseason, one of the most strenuous moments of his career, yet he performed like a champion.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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