# championship

/ˈtʃæmpiənˌʃɪp/ (US) · /tʃˈæmpiənʃˌɪp/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/championship
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. a competition

noun · CEFR B1

a large competition or series of games played to find the best player or team.

For teachers: a competition or series of contests held to determine a champion.

- The world championship will take place in Tokyo next summer.
- The national championship attracted athletes from every province, all competing for a chance to represent the country on the international stage.

### 2. the winner's title

noun · CEFR B2

the position or title of being the champion.

For teachers: the state or status of being a champion; the title held by a winner.

- After years of training, she finally won the heavy-weight championship.
- The team successfully defended their championship for the third consecutive year, cementing their legacy as one of the greatest in the league's history.

### 3. support for a cause

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

the act of supporting or defending a particular idea or person.

For teachers: the act of defending or supporting a cause, person, or principle. Uncountable in this abstract sense.

- Her championship of human rights earned her a global reputation.
- The senator's lifelong championship of environmental protection led to the passage of several landmark pieces of legislation.

### 4. a specific league

noun · CEFR B2 · British English

a specific professional league, especially the second-highest level of football in England.

For teachers: a specific division within a professional sports league hierarchy, most notably the second tier of the English football league system.

- His team was promoted from the Championship to the Premier League.
- The Championship is often cited as one of the most physically demanding and unpredictable football leagues in Europe.

## Examples

- Our local team won the regional championship last night.
- The young athlete trained for years to qualify for the national swimming championship.
- Securing the world championship requires not only physical dominance but also the mental fortitude to perform under extreme pressure during the final rounds of the tournament.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.