champion
CHAM-pee-uhn
Champion (noun) means the winner of a competition, especially the current title-holder. Example: “She became the world champion after three grueling rounds.”
noun
1
The winner of a competition, especially the current title-holder.
"She became the world champion after three grueling rounds."
"The reigning champion defended his title against a tough challenger."
"The chess champion shook hands with every player at the end of the tournament."
2
A person who strongly supports or fights for a cause.
"She has long been a champion of affordable housing in the city."
"He is a champion of free libraries and visits schools to speak."
"As a champion of animal welfare, she runs a rescue centre."
verb
1
To actively support, promote, or advocate for something.
"The senator championed reforms to the healthcare system."
"The teacher championed the idea of a new reading garden for pupils."
"Local groups have championed cleaner streets for many years."
adj
1
Excellent or first-rate.
"That was a champion effort from the whole team."
"We had a champion holiday by the sea last summer."
"My gran makes a champion apple pie every autumn."
How to use champion
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomeone (or something) that wins, or a person who fights for or actively supports a cause.
Common pairings
defending champion
champion a cause
world champion
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Word forms
- Plural
- champions
- Third person singular
- champions
- Past tense
- championed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She became the world _____ after three grueling rounds.
Etymology
From Old French champion, from Medieval Latin campio ("combatant in single combat"), ultimately from Latin campus ("field," as in a battlefield).
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for champion
region
ablation
allusion
emulsion
ideation
novation
diffusion
elocution
extension
oxidation
perfusion
selection
See all rhymes for champion →
Frequently asked questions
What does “champion” mean?
The word “champion” means the winner of a competition, especially the current title-holder. In plain terms, someone (or something) that wins, or a person who fights for or actively supports a cause.
How do you pronounce “champion”?
“Champion” is pronounced CHAM-pee-uhn (/ˈt͡ʃæm.pi.ən/ in IPA).
How do you use “champion” in a sentence?
Here is “champion” used in a sentence: “She became the world champion after three grueling rounds.”
What part of speech is “champion”?
Depending on how it is used, “champion” can be a noun, a verb and an adjective.
Where does the word “champion” come from?
The word “champion” comes from Medieval Latin. From Old French champion, from Medieval Latin campio ("combatant in single combat"), ultimately from Latin campus ("field," as in a battlefield).
Is “champion” a common word?
“Champion” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “champion” have?
“Champion” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the winner of a competition, especially the current title-holder.
What is the difference between a champion and a winner?
Every champion is a winner, but not every winner is a champion. A winner has come first in a single contest. A champion holds a title — the top place in a league, tournament or sport, often as the current, reigning title-holder. Champion carries a sense of overall or lasting supremacy.
Does champion mean more than the winner of a competition?
Yes. Beyond the sporting winner, a champion can be someone who defends or actively supports a cause or person — a 'champion of human rights', for example. As a verb, to champion something means to fight for or promote it. Both senses share the idea of standing at the front and prevailing.
What is the opposite of a champion?
In a contest, the opposite of the champion is the loser, or more specifically the runner-up who finishes just behind in second place. Figuratively, the opposite of a champion of a cause is an opponent or critic who works against it. Context decides which contrast is meant.
What is an example of a champion?
A boxer who holds the world heavyweight title is the reigning champion until someone beats them. A football club that wins its league is the season's champion. Outside sport, a campaigner celebrated as a champion of the environment is one who leads and fights for that cause.
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