champion
champion
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "champion" is /ˈtʃæmpiən/.
Here's a breakdown of the sounds by syllable:
cham: /tʃæm/
/tʃ/ - voiceless postalveolar affricate (like the "ch" in "church")
/æ/ - near-low front unrounded vowel (like the "a" in "cat")
/m/ - bilabial nasal consonant
pi: /pi/
/p/ - voiceless bilabial plosive
/i/ - close front unrounded vowel (like the "i" in "kit")
on: /ən/
/ə/ - mid-central vowel (schwa sound, like the "a" in "about")
/n/ - alveolar nasal consonant
Word Form Variations
champion (singular noun): A person who has defeated all opponents in a competition. Also used as a verb.
champions (plural noun): More than one champion.
championed (past tense verb): Acted as a champion for something; supported or defended.
championing (present participle/gerund verb): The act of supporting or defending something.
championship (noun): The position or title of champion; a competition to determine a champion.
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun:
Definition: A person who has defeated all rivals in a competition or contest; a victor.
Synonyms: winner, victor, titleholder, conqueror, medalist
Antonyms: loser, defeated, challenger, contender
Definition: A person who vigorously supports or defends a person, cause, or idea.
Synonyms: advocate, supporter, defender, promoter, backer, protagonist
Antonyms: opponent, adversary, critic, detractor, antagonist
Verb:
Definition: To publicly support or defend a person, cause, or idea.
Synonyms: advocate, support, defend, promote, uphold, endorse, back
Antonyms: oppose, criticize, denounce, undermine, attack
Adjective: (Less common usage, but possible)
Definition: Relating to or befitting a champion; excellent; first-rate. (Often used attributively, i.e., before the noun).
Synonyms: top-tier, first-class, excellent, outstanding, stellar, winning
Antonyms: inferior, second-rate, poor, substandard, losing
It's important to note that the adjective usage is less frequent than the noun and verb forms. You're more likely to hear phrases like "a champion effort" or "champion performance" where "champion" acts almost like an intensifier.
Examples of Use
Noun (Person):
Sports: "Serena Williams is a tennis champion with 23 Grand Slam singles titles." (Widely known fact, numerous sources like ESPN, BBC Sport, etc.)
Esports: "The team 'OG' became back-to-back Dota 2 world champions." (Numerous esports news sites like The International website, etc.)
Politics: "Nelson Mandela was a champion of human rights and equality." (Numerous historical accounts and biographies.)
General Discourse: "She was a champion for the underprivileged, dedicating her life to helping others." (Common usage in everyday conversation and news reports.)
Noun (Title/Competition):
Sports: "The Super Bowl is the championship game of the National Football League." (NFL official website and numerous sports news outlets.)
Academic: "The university's debate team won the national championship." (University news releases and academic competition websites.)
Verb:
News: "The senator has long championed legislation to improve access to healthcare." (Numerous news articles from various publications.)
Non-profit: "The organization champions the rights of refugees and asylum seekers." (Organization's website and publications.)
Books: "In her book, she champions the importance of education for young girls." (Book reviews and author interviews.)
General Discourse: "He championed my cause, speaking on my behalf at the meeting." (Common usage in everyday conversation.)
Adjective (Less common):
Informal Speech: "That was a champion effort! You really gave it your all." (Common in spoken English, particularly in sports contexts.)
Writing (Figurative): "He delivered a champion performance in his role as Hamlet." (Theater reviews and articles.)
10 Famous Quotes Using Champion
"A champion is someone who gets up when they can’t." — Jack Dempsey
"You become a champion by fighting one more round." — James J. Corbett
"A true champion is not judged by how they win, but how they rise after falling." — Serena Williams
"To be a champion, you must believe in yourself when no one else will."— Sugar Ray Robinson
"Champions keep playing until they get it right."— Billie Jean King
"You don’t become a champion in the ring; you’re merely recognized there."— Joe Frazier
"A champion shows who they are through their actions, not their words." — Anonymous
"Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard. That’s the heart of a champion."
— Tim Notke"A champion isn’t made in the spotlight but in the dark when no one is watching."— Anonymous
"Don’t just support the cause—champion it." — Barack Obama
Etymology
Let's break down the word "champion." It's a word that's traveled through several languages over time.
It ultimately comes from the Late Latin word campio, which meant "gladiator" or "fighter." Campio itself is related to the Latin word campus, meaning "field" or "plain." Think of a battlefield or an arena – a campus was the place where fights and contests took place. So, a campio was someone who fought on the field.
This Latin word campio then made its way into Old French as campion. The meaning shifted a bit to refer to a "combatant" or "warrior." It's in this Old French form that the word entered the English language, sometime around the 13th century.
Initially, in English, "champion" referred specifically to someone who fought in single combat, often as a representative of someone else (like in a trial by combat). It carried a strong sense of a warrior or a defender.
Over time, the meaning broadened. While it still kept the sense of someone who's victorious in a contest (like a sports champion), it also evolved to include anyone who strongly supports or defends a cause, person, or idea. This sense of "champion" as an advocate or supporter arose later, building on the idea of someone who fights for something they believe in.
So, the etymology of "champion" takes us from a gladiator fighting on a field, to a warrior, and finally to the modern understanding of someone who wins contests or strongly advocates for something. It's a word that's retained a sense of strength, skill, and advocacy throughout its history.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Champion
"Champion" isn't as prolific in common idioms as some other words. It's used more literally. You won't find dozens of well-established idioms specifically using "champion." This is likely because the word itself already carries a strong and clear meaning. Idioms often rely on metaphor and figurative language, and "champion" is already quite evocative.
Phrases (Common & Less Common):
Reigning champion: The current title holder.
Defending champion: The champion from the previous competition.
Champion of the people: Someone who fights for the rights of ordinary people.
Champion of industry: A leader in a particular industry.
Champion a cause: To advocate for a cause.
Champion effort/performance: An exceptionally good effort or performance (often used informally).
A true champion: Someone who embodies the qualities of a champion, both in victory and defeat.
Idioms (Synonyms and Related Concepts):
Since "champion" itself doesn't lend itself to many idioms, we can look at idioms related to winning, advocating, and supporting, which are core aspects of being a champion:
Carry the torch: To continue a cause or movement (similar to championing a cause).
Fly the flag: To show support for something (similar to championing a cause).
Go to bat for someone: To defend or support someone (similar to championing someone).
In someone's corner: Supporting someone.
Come out on top: To be victorious (similar to being a champion).
Win hands down: To win easily and decisively (like a dominant champion).
Beat all comers: To defeat all competitors (a key aspect of being a champion).
Rise to the occasion: To perform exceptionally well when needed (often what champions do).
Original/Adapted Phrases:
Champion of the underdog: Someone who supports the less fortunate or weaker party.
Championing change: Actively advocating for change or reform.
A champion's heart: Possessing the courage, determination, and resilience of a champion.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of champion from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
