Championship

/ˈtʃæm.pi.ənˌʃɪp/ noun

Definition

A championship is a competition to decide who is the best in a sport, game, or activity. It can also refer to the title or status of being the top winner.

Etymology

Formed from 'champion' plus the noun-forming suffix '-ship', which indicates a state or condition. It names both the contest for champions and the rank they achieve.

Kelly Says

The '-ship' in 'championship' is the same one in 'friendship'—it turns a person or role into a state of being. So 'championship' is both the big event *and* the invisible status you carry after you win.

Ethical Language Guidance

Gender History

“Championship” emerged around organized competitions that were historically segregated by gender, with men’s events often treated as the default or premier category. Media coverage frequently prioritized men’s championships, marginalizing women’s and other gendered divisions.

Inclusive Usage

Specify the category (e.g., women’s, mixed, open) only when relevant, and avoid treating men’s championships as the default standard.

Inclusive Alternatives

["tournament","finals","title competition"]

Empowerment Note

When referencing championships, include women’s and other under‑represented categories as integral parts of the sport’s history, not as side notes.

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