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

The Giants had past champs like Tom Coughlin, Eli Manning and Michael Strahan to sell Harbaugh on the glories of winning it all in New York. — Ian O'Connor, New York Times, 22 July 2026

Per Nielsen, The Next Pro, hosted by DWTS Season 34 champ Robert Irwin, is ABC’s strongest summer series debut across all genres since July 2020. — Katie Campione, Deadline, 21 July 2026

Many have labeled the match dull, with neither team scoring until Spain’s Ferran Torres smashed the ball into the back of the net in the 106th minute to defeat reigning champs Argentina. — Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 20 July 2026

The former 9-time AL base-stealing champ and 9-time gold glover resides in his boyhood home of Barquisimeto, Venezuela. — Chuck Murr, Forbes.com, 20 July 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