Titleholder
n.capable, joyfulprofessional
What it means
The person or team that currently possesses a championship title.
Reach for it when identifying the reigning winner rather than predicting who is strongest now
The titleholder returned to defend the regional chess championship.
Choose between these
5- playful
top dog
when casual emphasis on current supremacy fits
not when Top dog is flippant and can imply dominance beyond the actual title.
- everyday
when the winner and the honor are more important than current tenure
not when Champion can name any past winner or advocate, not only the present titleholder.
- professional
defending champion
when the current holder is actively contesting the title again
not when A titleholder who does not enter the event is not a defending champion.
- professional
reigning champion
when current possession of the title should be unmistakable
not when The longer phrase is redundant if titleholder is already clear.
- literary
crown bearer
when ceremonial imagery suits celebratory writing
not when Crown bearer sounds invented and is inaccurate for many competitions.
Said against
3- challenger
- runner-up
- former champion
It naturally appears in
3- reigning titleholder
The reigning titleholder greeted each junior finalist.
- world titleholder
The world titleholder trained at the same public track as the beginners.
- current titleholder
The current titleholder won the trophy two seasons ago.