champ

1
[ champ, chomp ]
/ tʃæmp, tʃɒmp /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR champ ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object)

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

verb (used without object)

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

noun

the act of champing.

Idioms for champ

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

Origin of champ

1
1520–30; perhaps akin to chap1; see chop1

OTHER WORDS FROM champ

champ·er, noun champ·y, adjective

Words nearby champ

chamonix, chamorro, chamos, chamosite, chamotte, champ, champ at the bit, champac, champagne, champagne socialist, champagne-ardenne

Words related to champ at the bit

thrive

British Dictionary definitions for champ at the bit (1 of 2)

champ 1
/ (tʃæmp) /

verb

to munch (food) noisily like a horse
(when intr, often foll by on, at, etc) to bite (something) nervously or impatiently; gnaw
champ at the bit or chafe at the bit informal to be impatient to start work, a journey, etc

noun

the act or noise of champing
Ulster dialect a dish, originating in Ireland, of mashed potatoes and spring onions or leeks

Derived forms of champ

champer, noun

Word Origin for champ

C16: probably of imitative origin

British Dictionary definitions for champ at the bit (2 of 2)

champ 2
/ (tʃæmp) /

noun

informal short for champion (def. 1)

Idioms and Phrases with champ at the bit (1 of 2)

champ at the bit

Show impatience at being held back or delayed, as in The dismissal bell hadn't rung, but they were champing at the bit to leave. This term transfers the action of a horse that impatiently bites the bit in its mouth to human behavior. [Mid-1600s]

Idioms and Phrases with champ at the bit (2 of 2)

champ