champion

noun

cham·pi·on | \ ˈcham-pē-ən

Definition of champion

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : a winner of first prize or first place in competition a tennis champion also : one who shows marked superiority a champion at selling

2 : a militant advocate or defender a champion of civil rights

3 : warrior, fighter a champion of his king

4 : one that does battle for another's rights or honor God will raise me up a champion— Sir Walter Scott

champion

verb

championed; championing; champions

Definition of champion (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

1 : to act as militant supporter of : uphold, advocate always champions the cause of the underdog

2 : to protect or fight for as a champion championed the ladies chivalrously in the tilts

3 archaic : challenge, defy

Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about champion

Keep scrolling for more

Choose the Right Synonym for champion

Verb

support, uphold, advocate, back, champion mean to favor actively one that meets opposition. support is least explicit about the nature of the assistance given. supports waterfront development uphold implies extended support given to something attacked. upheld the legitimacy of the military action advocate stresses urging or pleading. advocated prison reform back suggests supporting by lending assistance to one failing or falling. refusing to back the call for sanctions champion suggests publicly defending one unjustly attacked or too weak to advocate his or her own cause. championed the rights of children

Examples of champion in a Sentence

Noun

the heavyweight boxing champion of the world Our team will play the defending champions next week. the newly crowned national champions He was a champion for the working classes.

Verb

She is a lawyer who champions children's rights. Our senator championed the idea of lowering taxes.

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Pick: Apopka The Hornets inched closer to chasing down back-to-back district champion Jones during a 14-7 loss in last year’s Class 5A region quarterfinals. — J.c. Carnahan, orlandosentinel.com, "Orlando area high school football Week 4 predictions include district debuts," 12 Sep. 2019 United in their grief, the children’s relatives had formed a bond with McClellan-Wiese, who became their friend and champion in their mutual quest for justice. — Elizabeth Zavala, ExpressNews.com, "In court, grieving family members confronted a former nurse accused of killing five children in San Antonio," 9 Sep. 2019 The possibility of Diaz vs. Masvidal was put in jeopardy in recent days as the welterweight title picture grew murky because of reported negotiation trouble to book champion Kamaru Usman vs. Colby Covington. — Mike Bohn, MMA Junkie, "Nate Diaz vs. Jorge Masvidal to headline UFC 244 in New York," 7 Sep. 2019 The Sailors play at last year’s Division 2 champion Foothill on Tuesday at 4 p.m. — Matt Szabo, Daily Pilot, "Newport Harbor boys’ water polo routs Coronado to improve to 2-0," 7 Sep. 2019 Sophie Murphy, Cheshire, Jr.: Won State Open titles in the 50 free and 100 free, also helped Cheshire win the 400 free relay title and helped the Rams win the Class L title as the Class L 50 and 100 free champion. — Lori Riley, courant.com, "Girls Swimming: Maggie Mantz and Aislinn Mitchell return to lead Hall," 17 Sep. 2019 In 1952 ‘Little Mo’ interviewed golf champion Micky Wright for The San Diego Union Maureen Connolly Brinker was born at San Diego on this day in 1934. — San Diego Union-Tribune, "From the Archives: Maureen Connolly worked as a cub reporter when she wasn’t winning world tennis titles," 17 Sep. 2019 That stretch is about to end, as the Cougars head west to play Cedar Park, an 8-4 bi-district champion Class 5A Division I last fall. — Jack Marrion, Houston Chronicle, "Cinco Ranch football hits the road for non-district finale against Cedar Park," 17 Sep. 2019 Defending 1,500-meter champion Elijah Manangoi of Kenya pulled out of the upcoming athletics world championships in Doha, Qatar, Sept. 27 because of an ankle injury suffered during his training that will take 4-8 weeks to heal . . — BostonGlobe.com, "Virginia coach declines raise," 17 Sep. 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

The debate stakes are particularly high for Warren, who has surged in popularity in several polls while championing an agenda that targets the rich with hefty taxes to fund big new government programs. — chicagotribune.com, "Elizabeth Warren’s new plan calls for tax hike on wealthy to pay for Social Security overhaul," 12 Sep. 2019 In July, Hong Kong fans chanted slogans and waved banners when English Premier League champions Manchester City played local team Kitchee at the stadium. — BostonGlobe.com, "HONG KONG — Thousands of Hong Kong soccer fans booed loudly and turned their backs when the Chinese national anthem was played before a World Cup qualifier match against Iran on Tuesday, taking the city’s months of protests into the sports realm.," 11 Sep. 2019 In July, Hong Kong fans chanted slogans and waved banners when English Premier League champions Manchester City played local team Kitchee at the stadium. — Washington Post, "Hong Kong soccer fans loudly boo Chinese national anthem," 11 Sep. 2019 This is the ninth year the newspaper has participated in Top Workplaces, which honors the best employers in the state as championed by their employees. — The Denver Post, "Denver Post’s ninth annual Top Workplaces contest begins," 8 Sep. 2019 Castro touted his plan to invest $50 billion to remove lead pipes across the country, while U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., championed a similar proposal to invest $1 trillion in infrastructure. — al, "Democratic debate recap: Key moments from contest in Detroit," 1 Aug. 2019 For example, getting a $15 minimum wage in New York City for most businesses — while championed by de Blasio — was a product of a statewide roll-out of increased minimum wages. — NBC News, "Fact-check: The July Democratic debate 2019, Night 2," 1 Aug. 2019 Even though Cincinnati won't get to celebrate by watching the world champions play in-person, there will still be plenty of pomp to mark the World Cup title. — Pat Brennan, Cincinnati.com, "Is the United States women's national team's 'victory tour' coming to Cincinnati?," 12 July 2019 Mark Stuart, president of the Foundation for San Diego Zoo Global, will share insights into the truly life- changing programs that the zoo has championed over recent years. — San Diego Union-Tribune, "Village Viewpoints speaker to discuss San Diego Zoo’s impact around the world at April 14 event," 4 Apr. 2019

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