champ

1 of 2

verb

champed; champing; champs

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

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
Verb
Others would champ at the bit to join him. Osita Nwanevu, The New Republic, 24 Mar. 2021 Will any lessons from these countries be learned in the West, where countries are several weeks behind in their outbreaks, but many governments are already champing at the bit to relax lockdowns, despite sky-high infection rates? James Griffiths, CNN, 11 May 2020
Noun
Yes, the two-time champ, No. 1 Bohemian Special (Wiedemann), is not messing around this year. The Enquirer, 21 Mar. 2024 Mahi, who now considers the South Bay his second home, believes Yoshikawa should have no problem getting talented newcomers to join the state champs. Joseph Dycus, The Mercury News, 20 Mar. 2024 But the proud mom says her two bigger kids are handling it like champs. Hannah Sacks, Peoplemag, 19 Mar. 2024 Yes, an ex-heavyweight champ is boxing a YouTuber on Netflix. Ryan Faughnder, Los Angeles Times, 11 Mar. 2024 The six-part series stars and is loosely based on NBA star JaVale McGee and his career as an NBA champ and record producer. Melinda Newman, Billboard, 8 Mar. 2024 The former champ should be praised for taking time off following two scary knockout losses. Trent Reinsmith, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024 What to know: After falling to eventual 5A champ Roosevelt in last year’s Great 8, Air Academy returns with Kramer getting one last shot at a title before setting off for CSU. Matt Schubert, The Denver Post, 29 Feb. 2024 Tori denied that, and both fierce champs left their feud simmering as the reunion moved on. Sydney Bucksbaum, EW.com, 28 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'champ.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of champ was in 1530

Dictionary Entries Near champ

Cite this Entry

“Champ.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/champ. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

champ

1 of 2 verb
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

More from Merriam-Webster on champ

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