# champion

/ˈtʃæmpiən/ (US) · /tʃˈæmpiən/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/champion
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. winner

noun · CEFR A2

a person or team that wins a competition or contest.

For teachers: the winner of a competition, tournament, or other sporting contest.

- The world champion held the trophy high while the crowd cheered.
- After a grueling final match, she was crowned the undisputed champion of the international chess tournament.

### 2. supporter of a cause

noun · CEFR B2

someone who speaks or fights in support of an idea or a group of people.

For teachers: a person who vigorously supports or defends a particular cause, belief, or person.

- He was a lifelong champion of poor people's rights in his city.
- The senator became a leading champion of environmental reform, pushing for stricter regulations on industrial waste disposal.

### 3. notable plant

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

a plant or tree that is much larger or more impressive than others of its kind.

For teachers: a specimen of a plant species notable for its exceptional size or age.

- This oak tree is a local champion because of its massive trunk.
- Arborists identified the ancient sequoia as a state champion based on its record-breaking height and girth.

### 4. to support an idea

verb · CEFR C1 · Formal

to publicly support or defend a set of beliefs or a plan.

For teachers: to vigorously support or defend a cause or principle. Transitive; requires a direct object.

- The local newspaper decided to champion the campaign for a new park.
- The organization continues to champion the rights of indigenous communities whose lands are threatened by commercial development.

### 5. excellent

adjective · CEFR B2 · British English · Dialect · Informal

very good or excellent.

For teachers: denoting excellence or high quality. Often used as a predicative adjective in specific regional dialects.

- That was a champion meal; I enjoyed every bit of it.
- He did a champion job on the repairs, and the machine has been running perfectly ever since.

## Examples

- She is the current world champion.
- He became a champion for animal rights after volunteering at the local shelter.
- The retiring tennis champion was celebrated not only for her victories but also as a tireless champion of gender equality in professional sports.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.