1. Someone who has won first place in a competition
   "As the reigning champion, she was expected to defend her championship";
   - champ [informal], title-holder
    
2. Someone who fights for a cause
   "He saw himself as a champion of environmental justice";
   - fighter, hero, paladin [archaic]
    
3. A person who backs a politician or a team etc.
   "all their champions came out for the game";
   - supporter, protagonist, admirer, booster, friend
    
4. Someone who is dazzlingly skilled in any field
   "She's a real tech champion, always up-to-date with the latest gadgets";
   - ace [informal], adept, sensation, maven [US, informal], mavin [US, informal], virtuoso, genius, hotshot [informal], star, superstar, whiz [informal], whizz [informal], wizard [informal], wiz [informal], megastar [informal]

1. Protect or fight for as a champion
   "She championed the rights of minorities";
   - defend

1. Holding first place in a contest
   "a champion show dog";
   - prizewinning

Derived forms: championed, champions, championing

See also: best

Type of: advocate, advocator, back, challenger, competitor, contender, defender, endorse, expert, exponent, guardian, indorse [rare], plump for, proponent, protector, rival, shielder, support

Encyclopedia: Champion, Nebraska