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

On the track Cavendish claimed omnium silver at the 2016 Olympics and was a three-time madison world champion.

From BBC

Tyson, meanwhile, is one of the sport’s all-time greats, becoming the youngest heavyweight champion at 20.

From Los Angeles Times

Paul says that during an ayahuasca ceremony, he saw himself fighting former boxing heavyweight champion Mike Tyson, with millions of kids watching the match on their TVs and devices.

From Los Angeles Times

The Cleveland High boys’ water polo team proved that axiom true once again, limiting defending champion Palisades to one goal in the final three quarters of a 15-4 victory in the City Section Open Division final Wednesday night at Valley College.

From Los Angeles Times

Former world heavyweight champion Tyson, 58, will face YouTuber-turned-fighter Paul, 27, at Dallas' AT&T Stadium on Friday.

From BBC

Related Words

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