champ

1 of 2

verb

ˈchamp  ˈchämp 

ˈchȯmp

champed; champing; champs

transitive verb

1

: chomp

2

: mash, trample

intransitive verb

1

: to make biting or gnashing movements

2

: to show impatience of delay or restraint

—usually used in the phrase champing at the bit

he was champing at the bit to begin

champ

2 of 2

noun

ˈchamp 

: champion

Synonyms

Verb

• bite (on)
• chaw
• chew
• chomp (on)
• crunch (on)
• gnaw (on)
• masticate
• nibble

Noun

• champion
• titleholder
• titlist
• victor
• winner

Examples of champ in a Sentence

Verb

He champed his pipe angrily.

The horse was champing its bit.

He champed on his pipe angrily.

Noun

this year's national basketball champs

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

The two-day fundraiser will include the second annual pickleball challenge co-hosted by four-time Grand Slam winner Osaka and seven-time ATP champ Kyrgios. —Danielle Directo-Meston, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Feb. 2025

Others would champ at the bit to join him. —Osita Nwanevu, The New Republic, 24 Mar. 2021

Noun

In the not-so-old days my team, Oklahoma State, never really had a chance at being national champs. —Stewart Mandel, The Athletic, 19 Feb. 2025

Rancho Bernardo—With returning state placer and Division 1 titlist Mary Snider (140) plus Division champ Maisen Vesco (145) leading the way, the Broncos qualified six wrestlers into the Masters meet. —Steve Brand, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English chammen, champen

First Known Use

Verb

1530, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun

1868, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for champ

• amp
• clamp
• cramp
• damp
• gamp
• lamp
• ramp
• samp
• scamp
• stamp
• tamp
• tramp

Kids Definition

champ

1 of 2 verb

ˈchamp 

1

: to bite or chew noisily

a horse champing its bit

2

: to show impatience

—usually used in the phrase champing at the bit

champ

2 of 2 noun

: champion entry 1 sense 2