champ

¹

[champ, chomp]

verb (used with object)

1. to bite upon or grind, especially impatiently.

   The horses champed the oats.

2. to crush with the teeth and chew vigorously or noisily; munch.

3. to mash; crush.

verb (used without object)

1. to make vigorous chewing or biting movements with the jaws and teeth.

noun

1. the act of champing.

champ

²

[champ]

noun

Informal.

1. a champion.

champ

¹

/ tʃæmp /

verb

1. to munch (food) noisily like a horse

2. to bite (something) nervously or impatiently; gnaw

3. informal,  to be impatient to start work, a journey, etc

noun

1. the act or noise of champing

2. dialect,  a dish, originating in Ireland, of mashed potatoes and spring onions or leeks

champ

²

/ tʃæmp /

noun

1. informal,  short for champion

Other Word Forms

• champer noun
• champy adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of champ¹

1520–30; perhaps akin to chap ¹; chop ¹

Origin of champ²

By shortening

Word History and Origins

Origin of champ¹

C16: probably of imitative origin

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. champ at the bit, to betray impatience, as to begin some action.

More idioms and phrases containing champ

• like a champ

Example Sentences

Then came the divisional round in Philadelphia, a game nearly stolen from the eventual Super Bowl champs but for two plays and 13 yards.

From Los Angeles Times

Head coach Lynne Roberts, who spoke with her last week, said Brink is making significant progress and is champing at the bit to get back on the court.

From Los Angeles Times

Immigration raids terrorizing a large swath of the team’s fan base have forced baseball’s reigning champs to wade into uncomfortable waters.

From Los Angeles Times

Not all party members are champing at the bit for another war.

From Salon

Republicans are known to favor the rich and everyone knows they are champing at the bit to cut the safety net programs.

From Salon

Related Words

• chomp