championed
v. C1 Advanced US //ˈtʃæmpiənd// UK //tʃˈæmpiənd// cham·pi·oned
v. to support or defend a person, idea, or cause very strongly. You do this when you want to help something succeed or be noticed by others.
v. to support, defend, or fight for a cause, idea, or person. Often implies taking a leadership role in advocacy or promotion.
She championed the new environmental law.
Throughout her career, the professor championed the rights of minority students in the higher education system.
The senator championed the infrastructure bill despite significant opposition from within his own party, eventually securing the bipartisan support necessary for its passage.
Usage
The verb is transitive and takes a direct object; it is the past tense or past participle of 'champion'.