championship

American  

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

noun

championships plural

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.

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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

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• prechampionship
  noun

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• championships
  plural

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.

Related Words

• crown
• showdown
• tournament