What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
championship
Example
The team won the basketball championship for the third year in a row. [championship: noun]
Example
She is competing in the national championship next month. [championship: adjective]
tournament
Example
He participated in a chess tournament and finished in second place. [tournament: noun]
Example
The tennis tournament attracted top players from around the world. [tournament: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Tournament is more commonly used than championship in everyday language. Tournament is a versatile term that can be applied to a wide range of competitions, while championship is more specific and often used in the context of professional sports.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between championship and tournament?
Both championship and tournament can be used in formal and informal contexts. However, championship may carry a slightly more formal tone due to its association with professional sports and high-level competitions.
