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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

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.

“It’s not so much about winning a state championship, but getting to that next level where I can earn those NIL dollars.”

From The Wall Street Journal • May 10, 2026

Leon Strawder came into last fall’s football season a hero, having led Miami’s Northwestern High to a state championship the previous year.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 10, 2026

The championship match will be next weekend at Cerritos College, followed by the Southern California regional and state championships.

From Los Angeles Times • May 9, 2026

Undefeated so far this postseason, Oklahoma City soon will dispatch the shorthanded Lakers and then go marching on toward a defense of last year’s NBA championship.

From Los Angeles Times • May 8, 2026

Nevertheless, in the 1957 championship he put up with the old push-plunger clunkers.

From "Endgame" by Frank Brady