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
Eight Bay Area restaurants, including returning champ Locanda Restaurants, will compete in the tournament-style contest in the piazza in front of the Little Italy Cultural Center and Museum at 323 Sharks Way. — Sal Pizarro, Mercury News, 11 Aug. 2026 Jokic is a back-to-back champ, and even Kendrick Perkins bows down. — Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 9 Aug. 2026 New Jersey, the Mid-Atlantic Region champs, took a 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning with the help of two Lake Mary errors. — Steve Gorches, The Orlando Sentinel, 9 Aug. 2026 Jack Hirsch, biographer of Anthony’s husband, Olympic and pro boxing champ Michael Spinks, confirmed the news to Anthony’s longtime publication New York Amsterdam News. — Erik Pedersen, Deadline, 7 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 16 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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