champ1

[champ, chomp] /tʃæmp, tʃɒmp/
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)
4.
to make vigorous chewing or biting movements with the jaws and teeth.
noun
5.
the act of champing.
Idioms
6.
champ at the bit, to betray impatience, as to begin some action.
Also, chomp.
Origin
1520-30; perhaps akin to chap1; see chop1
Related forms
champer, noun
champy, adjective

champ2

[champ] /tʃæmp/
noun, Informal.
1.
a champion.
Origin
by shortening
Examples from the web for champ
  • The checkers champ was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, which killed him less than a year later.
  • The former champ picked up a bird and held it firmly in his fists, fondling its feathers.
  • Bringing a beloved champ out of retirement and back into the ring is always dicey.
  • But once again the champ of college football will be decided by writers and coaches, not by the players.
British Dictionary definitions for champ

champ1

/tʃæmp/
verb
1.
to munch (food) noisily like a horse
2.
when intr, often foll by on, at, etc. to bite (something) nervously or impatiently; gnaw
3.
(informal) champ at the bit, chafe at the bit, to be impatient to start work, a journey, etc
noun
4.
the act or noise of champing
5.
(Ulster, dialect) a dish, originating in Ireland, of mashed potatoes and spring onions or leeks
Derived Forms
champer, noun
Word Origin
C16: probably of imitative origin

champ2

/tʃæmp/
noun
1.
(informal) short for champion (sense 1)
Word Origin and History for champ
n.

1868, American English abbreviation of champion (n.).

v.

"to chew noisily," 1520s, probably echoic; OED suggests a connection with jam (v.). Earlier also cham, chamb, etc. To champ on (or at) the bit, as an eager horse will, is attested in figurative sense by 1640s. Related: Champed; champing. As a noun in this sense, attested from c.1600.

Related Abbreviations for champ

CHAMP

Comprehensive Healthcare Analysis and Management Program
Idioms and Phrases with champ

champ

In addition to the idiom beginning with champ also see: like a champ