champion

1 of 2

noun

cham·​pi·​on ˈcham-pē-ən How to pronounce champion (audio)
Synonyms of championnext
1
: a winner of first prize or first place in competition
a tennis champion
also : one who shows marked superiority
a champion at selling
2
: a militant advocate or defender
a champion of civil rights
3
: warrior, fighter
a champion of his king
4
: one that does battle for another's rights or honor
God will raise me up a champion—Sir Walter Scott

champion

2 of 2

verb

championed; championing; champions

transitive verb

1
: to act as militant supporter of : uphold, advocate
always champions the cause of the underdog
2
: to protect or fight for as a champion
championed the ladies chivalrously in the tilts
3
archaic : challenge, defy

Synonyms

Noun

Verb

See all Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus 
Choose the Right Synonym for champion

support, uphold, advocate, back, champion mean to favor actively one that meets opposition.

support is least explicit about the nature of the assistance given.

supports waterfront development

uphold implies extended support given to something attacked.

upheld the legitimacy of the military action

advocate stresses urging or pleading.

advocated prison reform

back suggests supporting by lending assistance to one failing or falling.

refusing to back the call for sanctions

champion suggests publicly defending one unjustly attacked or too weak to advocate his or her own cause.

championed the rights of children

Examples of champion in a Sentence

Noun the heavyweight boxing champion of the world Our team will play the defending champions next week. the newly crowned national champions He was a champion for the working classes. Verb She is a lawyer who champions children's rights. Our senator championed the idea of lowering taxes.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
The report does not identify Mahomes, a three-time Super Bowl champion quarterback, by name, but the address in the report matches public records for Mahomes. —Tim Stelloh, NBC News, 13 Nov. 2024 Take it from one of the early champions of disposable packaging. —Kristin Hostetter, Outside Online, 13 Nov. 2024
Verb
Min, a law professor, championed issues of reproductive rights, gun violence and climate action, polling well in areas like Irvine that have younger populations. —Kimmy Yam, NBC News, 13 Nov. 2024 Republican leaders including Neil Romano are championing the reforms. —Keely Cat-Wells, TIME, 1 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for champion 

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin campion-, campio, of West Germanic origin; akin to Old English cempa warrior

First Known Use

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Verb

circa 1616, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Time Traveler
The first known use of champion was in the 13th century

Phrases Containing champion

Dictionary Entries Near champion

champing at the bit

champion

championless

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Champion.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/champion. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

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Kids Definition

champion

1 of 2 noun
cham·​pi·​on ˈcham-pē-ən How to pronounce champion (audio)
1
: a person who fights or speaks for another person or in favor of a cause
2
: the winner of first prize or first place in a competition
also : one showing superior skill or ability

champion

2 of 2 verb
: to protect or fight for as a champion

More from Merriam-Webster on champion

Nglish: Translation of champion for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of champion for Arabic Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about champion

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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