champ

UK: /ˈtʃæmp/ US: /tʃæmp, tʃɑmp/ ,(v. champ, chomp; n. champ)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

champ¹ /tʃæmp, tʃɑmp/  also chomp, v. 

1. to bite upon or grind (something), esp. impatiently: [~ + object]
   The horses champed the oats.
   [no object]
   The kids were champing noisily at the dinner table.

champ² /tʃæmp/   n. [countable]

1. Informal Terms a champion:
   The champ knocked out five of his opponents.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

champ¹  (champ, chomp), v.t. 

1. to bite upon or grind, esp. impatiently:
   The horses champed the oats.
2. to crush with the teeth and chew vigorously or noisily;
   munch.
3. to mash;
   crush.

v.i. 

4. to make vigorous chewing or biting movements with the jaws and teeth.
5. Idioms champ at the bit, to betray impatience, as to begin some action.

n. 

6. the act of champing.

Also, chomp. 

• 1520–30; perh. akin to chap¹; see chop¹

champ′er, n. 
champ′y, adj. 

champ²  (champ), n. [Informal.]

1. Informal Terms a champion.

• by shortening

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

champ / tʃæmp/ verb

1. to munch (food) noisily like a horse
2. when intr, often followed by on, at, etc: to bite (something) nervously or impatiently; gnaw
3. champ at the bit, chafe at the bit ⇒ to be impatient to start work, a journey, etc

noun

1. the act or noise of champing

Etymology: 16th Century: probably of imitative origin

champ / tʃæmp/ noun

1. 
   short for champion1