champ

1 of 2

verb

ˈchamp How to pronounce champ (audio) ˈchämp How to pronounce champ (audio)
ˈchȯmp
champed; champing; champs
Synonyms of champnext

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 How to pronounce champ (audio)
: champion

Synonyms of champ

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Verb

Noun

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

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
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
Per reports, the second-place Phillies traded for three-time batting champ Luis Arraez and a reliever Monday. — Tyler Estep, AJC.com, 3 Aug. 2026 The point of Kleiman’s post is for average folks to feel sorry for the seven-time Super Bowl champ. — Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 3 Aug. 2026 One of those 12 teams will assume the world championship from West Suburban LL, the 2025 champs who hailed from Johnstown, Penn. — Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 2 Aug. 2026 In the Middle East, Brand New Day unseated Bad Boys Ride or Die, the previous record opening champ in the region. — Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 2 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for champ

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of champ was in 1530

Rhymes for champ

See All Rhymes for champ

Browse Nearby Words

chamotte
champ
Champa
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Champ.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/champ. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

champ

1 of 2 verb
ˈchamp How to pronounce champ (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on champ

Nglish: Translation of champ for Spanish Speakers

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