'competition-related' is a compound of 'competition' and 'related'. 'Competition' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'competere' (and the noun 'competitio'), where 'com-' meant 'together' and 'petere' meant 'to seek/strive'. 'Related' ultimately comes from Latin 'relatus', the past participle of 'referre', where 're-' meant 'back' and 'ferre' meant 'to carry.'

'Competition' passed into Old French and Middle English as 'competition' (from Latin 'competitio'/'competere') and became the modern English noun 'competition'. 'Related' came into English via Old French/Latin forms (from Latin 'relatus' through French) and developed into the adjective 'related' in Middle English; the compound 'competition-related' is a modern English formation combining these two elements.

Initially, 'competition' carried the sense of 'coming together to strive' (from Latin roots) and 'related' meant 'brought back' (as a past participle of 'referre'); over time both elements became generalized, and their compound now simply means 'connected with competition'.