champ

1 of 2

noun

ˈchamp How to pronounce champ (audio)
Synonyms of champnext
: champion

champ

2 of 2

verb

ˈchamp How to pronounce champ (audio) ˈchämp How to pronounce champ (audio)
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.

Synonyms of champ

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Noun

Verb

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of champ in a Sentence

Noun this year's national basketball champs Verb He champed his pipe angrily. The horse was champing its bit. He champed on his pipe angrily.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Cignetti drove the pace car in May's Indianapolis 500 and on Saturday five-time IndyCar champ Alex Palou returned the favor by replacing Hoosier the Bison in the pregame IndyCar drive. — ABC News, 17 Oct. 2026 The visiting Rapid City Rush saw to that with a 6-3 victory over the host Mavericks, the ECHL’s defending Brabham Cup, Mountain Division and Western Conference champs. — The Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 17 Oct. 2026 Ohtani seemed to shake off months of doldrums, hitting a three-run home run in the second inning that put the defending champs up with a big lead. — Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 16 Oct. 2026 Whoever is crowned the champ will take home a $25,000 cash prize and a Kitchen Aid equipment package. — Katie Campione, Deadline, 15 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for champ

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English chammen, champen

First Known Use

Noun

1868, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1530, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of champ was in 1530

Rhymes for champ

See All Rhymes for champ

Browse Nearby Words

chamotte
champ
Champa
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Champ.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/champ. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

champ

1 of 2 verb
ˈchamp How to pronounce champ (audio)
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
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