Champions vs. Champion — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on November 6, 2023
Champion refers to a winner or advocate, singular in form. Champions is the plural form, referring to multiple winners or advocates.
Difference Between Champions and Champion
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
The word "champion" denotes an individual who excels above all others in a competition or is an ardent defender of a cause. It embodies singularity, highlighting one entity. On the other hand, "champions" is the plural form, representing a group or collection of individuals who have each achieved champion status or are defenders of causes.
A "champion" stands at the pinnacle of achievement or advocacy, whether in sports, ideas, or social causes. This term focuses on the accomplishments or qualities of one. "Champions," however, refers to a collection of such individuals, each possibly with their own distinct triumphs or causes they support.
Discussing "champion" in a sentence, it often centers on an individual's story, their journey to victory, or their role as a proponent. "Champions" encompasses stories of many, a team’s triumph, or a group united for a purpose.
While a "champion" could be a role model inspiring others through personal achievement or advocacy, "champions" implies a broader impact through a collective of such role models. Each can inspire, but the latter does so through the power of community.
In the context of usage, "champion" is a singular noun or adjective; it refers to one person, animal, or thing that has defeated all competitors in a competition or defends a cause passionately. "Champions" is simply the plural form of "champion," used when referring to multiple entities that have achieved victory or advocate for something.
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Comparison Chart
Number
Plural form, indicating more than one.
Singular form, indicating just one.
Usage
Used to refer to multiple winners or advocates.
Used to refer to a single winner or advocate.
Grammar
Noun (plural), Verb (present third person plural of champion).
Noun (singular), Verb (base form), Adjective.
Context
Often used for teams or groups in sports or causes.
Used for an individual in contests or as a proponent of a cause.
Implication
Implies collective achievement or advocacy.
Implies individual excellence or support.
Compare with Definitions
Champions
Exemplars of excellence
These champions are models for future generations.
Champion
An individual who fights for a cause
He became a champion for free speech.
Champions
Victors in a competition
The champions raised the trophy together.
Champion
A person who excels in a skill
A master of debates, she is a true champion.
Champions
Titleholders in various categories
The champions in chess and boxing shook hands.
Champion
A champion (from the late Latin campio) is the victor in a challenge, contest or competition. There can be a territorial pyramid of championships, e.g.
Champions
Defenders of a cause
The champions of environmental conservation convened at the summit.
Champion
A person who has surpassed all rivals in a sporting contest or other competition
A champion hurdler
Champions
Superior teams or individuals
Historical champions are often remembered for their enduring legacies.
Champion
A person who vigorously supports or defends a person or cause
He became the determined champion of a free press
Champions
One that wins first place or first prize in a competition.
Champion
Vigorously support or defend the cause of
He championed the rights of the working class and the poor
Champions
One that is clearly superior or has the attributes of a winner
A champion at teaching.
Champion
Excellent
‘Thank ye, lad,’ the farmer said. ‘That's champion.’
Champions
An ardent defender or supporter of a cause or another person
A champion of the homeless.
Champion
One that wins first place or first prize in a competition.
Champions
One who fights; a warrior.
Champion
One that is clearly superior or has the attributes of a winner
A champion at teaching.
Champions
To fight for, defend, or support as a champion
Championed the cause of civil rights.
Champion
An ardent defender or supporter of a cause or another person
A champion of the homeless.
Champions
(Obsolete) To defy or challenge.
Champion
One who fights; a warrior.
Champions
Holding first place or prize
A champion show dog.
Champion
To fight for, defend, or support as a champion
Championed the cause of civil rights.
Champions
Superior to all others
"the champion playboy of the Western World" (John Millington Synge).
Champion
(Obsolete) To defy or challenge.
Champions
Plural of champion
Champion
Holding first place or prize
A champion show dog.
Champion
Superior to all others
"the champion playboy of the Western World" (John Millington Synge).
Champion
An ongoing winner in a game or contest.
The defending champion is expected to defeat his challenger.
Champion
Someone who is chosen to represent a group of people in a contest.
Barcelona is eligible to play in FIFA Club World Cup as the champion of Europe.
Champion
Someone who fights for a cause or status.
Emmeline Pankhurst was a champion of women's suffrage.
Champion
Someone who fights on another's behalf.
Champion of the poor
Champion
(botany) A particularly notable member of a plant species, such as one of great size.
Champion
(attributive) Acting as a champion; having defeated all one's competitors.
Champion
(attributive) Excellent; beyond compare.
Champion
Excellent; brilliant; superb; deserving of high praise.
"That rollercoaster was champion," laughed Vinny.
Champion
(transitive) To promote, advocate, or act as a champion for (a cause, etc.).
Champion
To challenge.
Champion
One who engages in any contest; especially one who in ancient times contended in single combat in behalf of another's honor or rights; or one who now acts or speaks in behalf of a person or a cause; a defender; an advocate; a hero.
A stouter champion never handled sword.
Champions of law and liberty.
Champion
One who by defeating all rivals, has obtained an acknowledged supremacy in any branch of athletics or game of skill, and is ready to contend with any rival; as, the champion of England.
Champion
To furnish with a champion; to attend or defend as champion; to support or maintain; to protect.
Championed or unchampioned, thou diest.
Champion
Someone who has won first place in a competition
Champion
Someone who fights for a cause
Champion
A person who backs a politician or a team etc.;
All their supporters came out for the game
They are friends of the library
Champion
Someone who is dazzlingly skilled in any field
Champion
Protect or fight for as a champion
Champion
Holding first place in a contest;
A champion show dog
A prizewinning wine
Champion
A single winner of a contest
She was declared the champion of the match.
Champion
The best among competitors
The champion stood proud at the podium.
Champion
A defender or advocate
A champion of the underprivileged, she worked tirelessly.
Common Curiosities
Can both champions and champion be used to describe advocates for causes?
Yes, both can describe advocates, depending on the number.
Can an entire sports team be called a champion?
Yes, if referring collectively, but "champions" is more accurate.
What is the difference in usage between champions and champion?
"Champions" refers to multiple winners or advocates; "champion" refers to a single entity.
Is the term champion used for a one-time winner?
It can be, but it also refers to someone who consistently excels.
Are champions always people?
No, champions can also refer to teams, animals, or entities that have won a contest.
Are champions only recognized in sports?
No, the term can be used in any competitive or advocacy context.
Can a product or brand be a champion?
Yes, if it is considered superior in its category.
Does the term champions imply success in multiple areas?
It can, particularly if members of a group have various expertise.
Is it correct to call someone a "champion" in a non-competitive sense?
Yes, if they ardently support or defend a cause.
Is "champion" ever used as a verb?
Yes, it means to fight for, support, or defend something.
Is the phrase "world champions" correct?
Yes, when referring to those who have won at an international level.
Can champions include both men and women?
Absolutely, the term is gender-neutral.
How do you use champions in a sentence?
"The champions celebrated their collective victory."
Can an animal be called a champion?
Yes, particularly if it wins in animal competitions.
Can a team be a singular champion if they win together?
Yes, a team can be collectively referred to as a single champion.
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Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
