heavyweight

American  

[hev-ee-weyt] / ˈhɛv iˌweɪt /

adjective

1. heavy in weight.

2. of more than average weight or thickness.

   a coat of heavyweight material.

3. noting or pertaining to a boxer, wrestler, etc., of the heaviest competitive class, especially a professional boxer weighing more than 175 pounds (79.4 kilograms).

4. of or relating to the weight class or division of such boxers.

   a heavyweight bout.

5. (of a riding horse, especially a hunter) able to carry up to 205 pounds (93 kilograms).

6. designating a person, company, nation, or other entity that is extremely powerful, influential, or important.

   a team of heavyweight lawyers.

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noun

1. a person of more than average weight.

2. a heavyweight boxer or wrestler.

3. a person, company, nation, or other entity that is powerful and influential.

   a price hike initiated by the heavyweights in the industry.

heavyweight British  

/ ˈhɛvɪˌweɪt /

noun

1. a person or thing that is heavier than average

2. 1. a professional boxer weighing more than 175 pounds (79 kg)

   2. an amateur boxer weighing more than 81 kg (179 pounds)

   3. ( as modifier )

      the world heavyweight championship

3. a wrestler in a similar weight category (usually over 214 pounds (97 kg))

4. informal an important or highly influential person

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Etymology

Origin of heavyweight

First recorded in 1850–55; heavy + weight

Example Sentences

The sport is now deep into its next generation of champions and Woods hovers over all of it, both as an idol to today’s contenders and a heavyweight force behind the game.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 29, 2026

Briton Moses Itauma reinforced his status as one of heavyweight boxing's brightest stars with a destructive fifth-round stoppage of Jermaine Franklin at Manchester's Co-op Live Arena.

From BBC • Mar. 28, 2026

This was another night that thrilled and told us a little more about the rising heavyweight.

From BBC • Mar. 28, 2026

The list of appointees includes Oracle chief Larry Ellison and Silicon Valley heavyweight Marc Andreessen, as well as Nvidia boss Jensen Huang and Lisa Su of chipmaker AMD.

From Barron's • Mar. 25, 2026

It was only going to be the greatest boxing match in the history of the world: our favorite, Joe Louis, going up against the heavyweight champion of the world, Jim Braddock.

From "X: A Novel" by Ilyasah Shabazz

Related Words

• bigwig
• celebrity
• luminary