champ

1 of 2

verb

ˈchamp  ˈchämp 

ˈchȯmp

champed; champing; champs

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 

: champion

Synonyms of champ

Verb

• chew

Noun

• champion

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

Noun

Meanwhile, in the co-main event, bantamweight champ Petr Yan, who is also in his second title reign, faces former titleholder Merab Dvalishvili in a trilogy bout. — Trent Reinsmith, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026

Panettiere gave birth to her daughter, with boxing champ Wladimir Klitschko, in 2014 and battled postpartum depression. — Terry Castleman, Los Angeles Times, 17 Aug. 2026

And one Frederick Charles Freeman is the undisputed champ around here, no doubt. — Tyler Estep, AJC.com, 17 Aug. 2026

Past winners were also disqualified, which knocked out pie champ Carolina Pie Company and cookie winner SWIRL Dessert Company. — Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 17 Aug. 2026

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

Rhymes for champ

• amp
• clamp
• cramp
• damp
• gamp
• lamp
• ramp
• samp
• scamp
• stamp
• tamp
• tramp

Kids Definition

champ

1 of 2 verb

ˈchamp 

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