champion

1 of 2

noun

cham·​pi·​on ˈcham-pē-ən 

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

• champ
• titleholder
• titlist
• victor
• winner

Verb

• advocate
• back
• endorse
• indorse
• patronize
• plump (for)
• plunk (for)
• plonk (for)
• support

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

Noun

The comeback album featured Jon Bon Jovi, Fantasia, Sting, Sheila E., Mariah Carey, and one of Moore’s biggest musical champions, Bruce Springsteen. —Jazz Monroe, Pitchfork, 11 Jan. 2025

The Packers defeated Dallas in the wild card round in 2023, before falling to eventual NFC champion San Francisco in the divisional playoffs. —Rob Reischel, Forbes, 10 Jan. 2025

Verb

Preserving Buckley’s legacy and championing conservative principles. —Dan McLaughlin, National Review, 30 Dec. 2024

Assad, while widely seen as an oppressive dictator and accused of using chemical weapons against his own people, was championed as a protector of Shiite Muslim sects, Christian communities, and other religious groups. —Timothy Nerozzi, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 30 Dec. 2024

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

Phrases Containing champion

• co-champion

Kids Definition

champion

1 of 2 noun

cham·​pi·​on ˈcham-pē-ən 

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