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

---

Other Word Forms

• prechampionship noun

Etymology

Origin of championship

First recorded in 1815–25; champion + -ship

Example Sentences

Since fleeing Iran, Hejazipour has gone on to gain French nationality, becoming national champion in 2023 and helping the French to third place at the world team championships in the same year.

From Barron's

But with a national championship on the line, he opted for safety.

From The Wall Street Journal

The team won the drivers' and constructors' titles as Brawn and then seven drivers' and eight constructors' championships as Mercedes from 2014-21.

From BBC

“We won the national championship at Indiana University,” Cignetti said after it was over.

From The Wall Street Journal

With the NFL’s conference championship games set — the Rams at Seattle following New England at Denver — three of the four possible Super Bowl permutations are rematches.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• crown
• showdown
• tournament