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
The two champs bonded in part over mutual cancer diagnoses. — Matthew Carey, Deadline, 26 June 2026 The two-time defending World Series champs hold sizable advantages in quality depth and baseball wisdom, too. — Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 June 2026 As for Djokovic, the seven-time Wimbledon champ who withdrew from a pre-tournament exhibition without explanation, his draw looks like this. — Adam Zagoria, Forbes.com, 26 June 2026 The season’s final visit by the defending World Series champs coaxed the first sellout crowd of the season for the Minnesota Twins on a perfect summer evening. — Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 25 June 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 7 Jul. 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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