Championship
/ˈtʃæm.pi.ən.ʃɪp/noun
The status or title of being a champion; a contest to determine a champion.
Did you know?Championship comes through a long chain from Latin campānia, “open country” or “field,” because the original champion was tied to the battlefield and public contest, not a polished sports arena.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*kh₂em-
“to bend, curve; related to a field or low ground”
Latin
Latin
campus
“a field, plain, or level open land”
Late Latin
Latin
campio
“a fighter, especially one who fights in a judicial duel”
Old French
Old French
champion
“a combatant, champion, or defender in battle or dispute”
Middle English
English
champioun
“a fighter, defender, or champion”
Modern English
English
championship
“the state or title of being a champion, or a contest to decide it”