champion
Pluralchampions
Verbchampions, championing, championed
Pluralchampions
Formschampions, championing, championed
- 1A person or team that has won a game or contest and holds the top prize.
Like the runner who finishes first race after race.
The champion lifted the trophy over her head.
Our school chess champion has won every match this year.
UsagePeople often say the reigning champion or the defending champion.
Similarwinner, titleholder, victor
- 2To strongly support a cause or idea and fight for it.
Like being the loudest voice telling everyone to back a good idea.
She champions equal pay for all workers.
They champion the rights of refugees.
UsageSay champion a cause, with no word in between. It means strong support that others can see.
Similarsupport, promote, advocate, back, defend
Oppositeoppose
- 3Being the winner who has beaten everyone else.
Like the team that beat every other team this season.
The champion boxer defended his title again.
She is the reigning champion gymnast this year.
UsageA champion boxer has won a title. A champion effort just means a very good one.
Similarwinning, prizewinning
- 4A person who fights or speaks up for a cause.
Like someone who always stands up for what they believe in.
She became a champion of free education.
He stood out as a champion for workers' rights.
UsageWe usually say a champion of something, like a champion of free education.
Similardefender
Note
- 5A person chosen to fight or compete for another person or for a group.
Like the one player your class picks to compete for everyone.
The village picked its strongest fighter as champion.
The king picked a brave knight to be his champion in the duel.
Less common meanings
- 6So good that it is better than all others.
Like saying something is the very best you have ever seen.
My grandpa is a champion talker who can chat for hours.
Our old dog is a champion napper and sleeps most of the day.
UsageOften used in fun: a champion napper sleeps a lot.
Similaroutstanding, exceptional
- 7Really good, and worth a lot of praise.
That film was champion, and I really enjoyed it.
Our day at the seaside was champion, and the kids loved every minute.
UsageUse it after a verb, as in it was champion. It is a friendly word for talking, not for formal writing.
Similargrand, excellent, great, splendid, superb
Note
- 8To challenge someone, daring them to a fight or contest.
Note
- 9The biggest or most remarkable tree or plant of its kind.
Showing meanings only.
Practice
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Origin
It came through Middle English and Old French from Medieval Latin campio, meaning a fighter in a duel. The root goes back to a Germanic word for battle, which came from Latin campus, a field or place of action.
Checked 6 Nov 2026 · 4 facts
- Champion came through Middle English and Old French from Medieval Latin campio. en.wiktionary.org
- Medieval Latin campio meant a fighter in a duel. en.wiktionary.org
- The root goes back to a Germanic word meaning battle. en.wiktionary.org
- The Germanic word came from Latin campus, meaning a field or place of action. en.wiktionary.org