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Synonyms

championship

American  
[cham-pee-uhn-ship] / ˈtʃæm pi ənˌʃɪp /

noun

  1. the distinction or condition of being a champion.

    to win a championship.

  2. advocacy or defense.

    championship of the underdog.

  3. championships, a series of competitions or contests to determine a champion.

    the tennis championships.


championship British  
/ ˈtʃæmpɪənˌʃɪp /

noun

  1. (sometimes plural) any of various contests held to determine a champion

  2. the title or status of being a champion

  3. support for or defence of a cause, person, etc

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

Etymology

Origin of championship

First recorded in 1815–25; champion + -ship

Explanation

A championship is a contest where a champion — an ultimate winner — is decided. Champions are the top winners: only one football or baseball team earns the title of champion in a year. The championship is the contest that decides who will be champion. The Super Bowl is a championship. And so are the World Series, the Stanley Cup Finals, and the NBA Finals. Although championship is most often used in sports, you will also hear about the spelling bee championships or chess championships. When you win a championship, you're number one in your field.

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Vocabulary lists containing championship

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Charles Leclerc's race ended early after a crash in the final corner during a restart, as his team-mate Hamilton moved into second in the drivers' championship.

From BBC • Jun. 9, 2026

Or will England, led by Harry Kane, finally end the country's 60-year wait for a second major international championship following their lone 1966 World Cup victory?

From Barron's • Jun. 9, 2026

The team, chasing their first basketball championship since 1973, have whipped up a feverish following in the largest US city.

From Barron's • Jun. 8, 2026

Lucha Libre Voz, an independent professional wrestling company based in California and Arizona, will host its worldwide championship match between Tigre Uno and Septimo Dragon.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 8, 2026

Two days after Fischer won the championship, a lavish banquet was held in his honor at Laugardalshöll.

From "Endgame" by Frank Brady

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