I. ˈchampēən, -aam-, -aim-, chiefly dial or substand (ˈ) ̷ ̷|pēn noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English champioun, from Old French champion, from Medieval Latin campion-, campio, of West Germanic origin; akin to Old English cempa warrior, soldier, Old High German kempho — more at kemp
1. : warrior , fighter , combatant
champions arming for battle
2. : a militant advocate or defender
a royalist, always a champion of his king
3. : one that fights, often in single formal combat, for another's rights, honor, or fame
the lady's champion entered the lists
4.
a. : one whose supremacy or superiority is formally acknowledged especially after a test, contest, or series of tests or contests
individual and team champions at the Olympics
the conference champions
the world's chess champion
b. : a show animal that has won a certain number of points in open competition
this collie puppy is already a champion
c. : a plant or plant part (as a fruit or flower) that has received a first prize in a competitive exhibit
these tomatoes are champions
d. : one showing a marked superiority
a champion at telling tall tales
5. or champion oak : red oak 1a
II. transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
1. archaic : challenge , defy
championing one to speak
2. : to protect or fight for as a champion
championing his lady in the lists
3. : to act as militant supporter of : defend , uphold , advocate
faithful to Jefferson's principles, championed states' rights — American Guide Series: Virginia
III. adjective
1. : acknowledged as supreme over contestants or rivals
the champion team of the league
the champion speller of the class
2.
a. : first-rate , splendid
if you'll drop me at the next corner, my lord, that'll do me champion — Dorothy L. Sayers
b. : foremost , unsurpassed
the champion liar of the club
IV.
obsolete
variant of champaign