champion
UK[ˈtʃæmpiən]US[ˈtʃæmpiən]
n
a person, team, etc. that has won a competition, especially in a sport
n
a person who fights for, or speaks in support of, a group of people or a belief
v
to fight for, speak for, or support a group of people or a belief
Etymology
the word 'champion' entered english in the 13th century from old french 'champion', meaning a combatant in a duel or a fighter. the old french term itself derived from late latin 'campio' (genitive 'campionis'), meaning 'gladiator' or 'fighter in the field'. this latin noun was formed from 'campus', meaning 'field' or 'plain', which is also the source of 'camp' and 'campus'. the semantic journey is clear: from a literal 'field' of battle, to a 'fighter' on that field, and finally to the modern senses of a 'winner' in a contest and a 'defender' of a cause, metaphorically extending the idea of fighting for victory or for a principle.
Analysis
the word is a simplex loanword from french. it cannot be meaningfully segmented into productive morphemes in modern english without altering its spelling or obscuring its direct historical path.
Examples
she is the reigning olympic champion in the 100-meter dash.
he has long been a champion of environmental protection.
the organization champions the rights of indigenous communities.