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 Swedish streaming heavyweight adds 38 million monthly active users in 4Q—above its own guidance—bringing the total to 751 million.

From The Wall Street Journal

It arrives with the promise of some heavyweight titles.

From BBC

Seoul climbed more than four percent, helped by a six percent jump in market heavyweight Samsung after a report said it would start mass production of its next-generation HBM4 memory chips.

From Barron's

She launched her bid less than a day after another political heavyweight, L.A.

From Los Angeles Times

Team GB's mixed doubles curlers moved to the brink of the Winter Olympics semi-finals with three matches still to play, as a statement victory over heavyweights Canada maintained their 100% record.

From BBC

Related Words

• bigwig
• celebrity
• luminary