champion

¹ American  

[cham-pee-uhn] / ˈtʃæm pi ən /

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:

   protector, defender

5. a fighter or warrior.

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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 American  

[cham-pee-uhn] / ˈtʃæm pi ən /

noun

1. Gower 1921–80, U.S. choreographer.

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champion British  

/ 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

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adjective

1. dialect first rate; excellent

adverb

1. dialect very well; excellently

verb

1. to support; defend

   we champion the cause of liberty

Other Word Forms

• championless adjective
• championlike adjective
• nonchampion noun
• prechampioned adjective
• unchampioned adjective

Etymology

Origin of champion

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”

Example Sentences

For more than a decade, the 72-year-old championed the hottest asset class on Wall Street.

From The Wall Street Journal

The Women's Super League is guaranteed at least one representative in the last four, with defending champions Arsenal taking on Chelsea in a mouth-watering contest.

From BBC

The new world champion will be crowned at New Jersey's MetLife Stadium on 19 July.

From BBC

A Reform source said that Roberts, who is ex-military, had "stepped back for personal reasons but remains an active champion for veterans in his community".

From BBC

Woods last competed on tour in 2024 at the British Open, but the 15-time major champion had been nearing a comeback.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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