'competition-oriented' is a compound formed from 'competition' and the adjective-forming element '-oriented'. 'competition' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'competitio' (from 'competere'), where 'com-' meant 'together' and 'petere' meant 'to seek/strive'. 'orient(ed)' (in the adjectival sense) comes via French/Latin from 'orientare'/'oriens', where 'ori-' related to 'rising' (the east) and came to mean 'to face or align toward'.

'competition' passed into English via Old French (e.g. Old French 'competicion') and Middle English (e.g. 'competioun') to become modern 'competition'. 'orient' came from Latin 'oriens' through Old French 'orienter' into Middle English; the suffix/formation '-oriented' arose in modern English to mean 'directed toward' or 'having a particular orientation', producing compounds like 'competition-oriented' in the 20th century.

Initially 'competition' carried the sense of 'striving together' or 'seeking together' (from Latin), and 'orient' originally meant 'to face or set toward (the east)'. Over time these elements yielded the modern compound meaning 'directed toward competition' or 'placing emphasis on competitive success'.