cruiserweight

American

[kroo-zer-weyt] / ˈkru zərˌweɪt /

noun

British.

a light-heavyweight boxer.

cruiserweight British

/ ˈkruːzəˌweɪt /

noun

boxing another term (esp Brit) for light heavyweight

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of cruiserweight

First recorded in 1915–20; so called by metaphor, since a cruiser is the second heaviest naval ship

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Usyk, meanwhile, is one of boxing's most decorated fighters; an Olympic gold medallist, undisputed cruiserweight champion and two-time undisputed heavyweight champion who remains unbeaten in 24 professional bouts.

From BBC • May 21, 2026

Scotney looked full of confidence as she walked to the ring with former WBO cruiserweight champion Chris Billam Smith carrying one of her belts.

From BBC • Apr. 5, 2026

Palace fan Riakporhe boxed at Selhurst Park in June 2024, challenging for the WBO cruiserweight title against Chris Billam-Smith.

From BBC • Apr. 2, 2026

Jake Paul has dropped out of the WBA's cruiserweight rankings after losing his heavyweight bout against Anthony Joshua last month.

From BBC • Jan. 2, 2026

Paul has fought most of his career at cruiserweight and says he intends to take "some time off" from boxing.

From BBC • Dec. 20, 2025

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023