champ

verb \ ˈchamp , ˈchämp , ˈchȯmp \

Definition of champ

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

See champ defined for English-language learners

See champ defined for kids

Examples of champ in a Sentence

He champed his pipe angrily.
The horse was champing its bit.
He champed on his pipe angrily.

Recent Examples of champ from the Web

Are there going to be moments where both are champing at the bit and yet only one guy can get the carries on that given play?

— josh katzenstein, NOLA.com, "Saints' Adrian Peterson adjusting to being in backfield timeshare," 29 Aug. 2017
Her father is the legendary Paul Ellering, former leader of the innovative and great tag team The Road Warriors and current mastermind behind former NXT tag champs the Authors of Pain.

— jim varsallone, miamiherald, "Opening the vault with Rachel Evers of WWE Mae Young Classic," 27 Aug. 2017
These girls are champing at the bit for the opportunity and excited to work.

— seattle times staff, The Seattle Times, "Jody Wynn stays upbeat despite some early challenges as new UW women’s basketball coach," 7 Aug. 2017
West Ham United will be champing at the bit to succeed this season after an underwhelming 2016/17 campaign.

— SI.com, "PHOTO: West Ham Trio Run the Rule Over Some Traditional German Cuisine Ahead of Breme Friendlies," 27 July 2017
President Trump is champing at the bit to fire the Justice Department special counsel investigating him and associates for obstruction of justice, and financial and election-related crimes.

— primary concerns, New Republic, "Fighting the Secret Plan to End Obamacare," 20 June 2017
Before the match, Bacsinszky praised seven-time Grand Slam champ Venus.

— jamie lisanti, SI.com, "Timea Bacsinszky ends Venus Williams's run at 2017 French Open," 4 June 2017
A wild pitch by Classical starter Jordan Peterson allowed Alex Celiceo to score, giving the Metro South Bay League champs a two-run cushion.

— rick hoff, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Championship cheer all new for Spartans," 3 June 2017
Nyquist did the same in 2016 … and Triple Crown sensation American Pharoah in ’15 … and Derby-Preakness champ California Chrome in ’14 … and Orb in ’13.

— bryce miller, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Predictability, Always Dreaming rule at by-the-numbers Kentucky Derby," 6 May 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'champ.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of champ

Middle English chammen, champen

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First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

champ Synonyms

Synonyms

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

Related Words

ruminate; munch, nosh, snack; consume, eat, ingest, swallow; bolt, devour, gobble (up or down), gorge, gulp, scarf, scoff, snack, wolf; nip, peck (at), pick (at); gum, mumble

champ

noun \ ˈchamp \

Definition of champ

:champion

See champ defined for English-language learners

Examples of champ in a Sentence

this year's national basketball champs

Recent Examples of champ from the Web

Flip a coin Before Mahomes, Chiefs passed on Joe Flacco, Aaron Rodgers & others in first round Chiefs hope fewer roles will mean more production for Tyreek Hill Can Chiefs repeat as AFC West champs?

— kansascity, "Football 2017: Your guide to the Chiefs, K-State, Mizzou, KU and prep seasons," 26 Aug. 2017
With new faces leading the defending champs, rivals Mount Notre Dame and St. Ursula aim to take advantage.

— adam turer, Cincinnati.com, "Door open for new field hockey league champion," 24 Aug. 2017
Look Back To Thursday The New England champs started strong but labored to the finish.

— hartford courant, courant.com, "Fairfield American At The Little League World Series," 21 Aug. 2017
Naomi (champ) vs. Natalya for the WWE SmackDown Women's Championship.

— jim varsallone, miamiherald, "WWE SummerSlam viewing party in South Florida," 18 Aug. 2017
The three-time champ had looked spent climbing up the Pyrenees, squandered his lead, and had to hand over the yellow jersey.

— jada yuan, Daily Intelligencer, "Chris Froome Wins Tour de France, Again," 23 July 2017
Won matches at the Munster Sectional and Highland Regional before losing to Carmel's Lauren Lemonds, the eventual state singles champ.

— john o'malley, Post-Tribune, "Announcing the Post-Tribune 2017 Girls Tennis All-Area Team," 29 June 2017
This champ made velvety smooth milkshakes and green smoothies, restaurant-quality margaritas and fine ground coffee beans in our testing.

— the good housekeeping institute, Good Housekeeping, "Black + Decker Performance Fusion Blade Digital Blending System #BL6010," 26 June 2017
Williamson, the reigning Northern Kentucky Amateur and Metropolitan Mid-Amateur champ, has won 10, adding the latest at this year's Met Four Ball with partner Brad Wilder.

— marc hardin, Cincinnati.com, "Familiar faces advance at 108th Tony Blom Metropolitan Amateur Championship," 22 June 2017

First Known Use of champ

1868

champ Synonyms

Synonyms

champion, titleholder, titlist, victor, winner

Related Words

cochampion, cowinner; placer; finalist, quarterfinalist, semifinalist; medalist (or medallist), prizewinner; megastar, star, superstar; world-beater

Near Antonyms

loser

CHAMP Defined for English Language Learners

champ

verb

Definition of champ for English Language Learners

: to bite and chew on (something) in a noisy way

CHAMP Defined for Kids

champ

verb \ ˈchamp \

Definition of champ for Students

champed; champing

:to bite and chew noisily

a horse champing its bit

— champing at the bit

:waiting in an impatient way

We were champing at the bit to begin.

champ

noun

Definition of champ for Students

1 :¹champion 2

2 :¹champion 3

Learn More about champ

See words that rhyme with champ Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for champ Spanish Central: Translation of champ Nglish: Translation of champ for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of champ for Arabic speakers

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champ

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Origin and Etymology of champ

champ Synonyms

Synonyms

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champ

Definition of champ

Examples of champ in a Sentence

Recent Examples of champ from the Web

First Known Use of champ

champ Synonyms

Synonyms

Related Words

Near Antonyms

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CHAMP Defined for English Language Learners

champ

Definition of champ for English Language Learners

CHAMP Defined for Kids

champ

Definition of champ for Students

champ

Definition of champ for Students

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