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

That is not a position 15-time European champions Real Madrid expected to be in.

From BBC

And, as an addition, Liverpool are eight points clear at the Premier League summit, with the chance to go 11 points clear of struggling champions Manchester City with victory at Anfield on Sunday.

From BBC

Former “Bachelor” Joey Graziadei has been named champion of the “Dancing With the Stars” ballroom.

From Los Angeles Times

The settlements were announced in claims against the body, which was set up to champion their cause, and The Executive Office.

From BBC

Taylor, one of the sport's most decorated athletes, is the undisputed light-welterweight champion and also holds the WBA and WBC lightweight belts.

From BBC

Related Words

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