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Synonyms

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.

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

    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

"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 heavyweight

First recorded in 1850–55; heavy + weight

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.

Gallagher: "All heavyweight opponents are dangerous. Stylistically, though, I think he's made for Fury. He comes in straight lines and Fury's boxing brain and ability should be too much."

From BBC • Apr. 10, 2026

BBC Sport speaks to WBO heavyweight world champion Fabio Wardley, two-weight world champion Natasha Jonas, boxing analyst Steve Bunce and renowned trainer Joe Gallagher to explore the big questions.

From BBC • Apr. 10, 2026

Makhmudov spent most of the time glancing at his phone, drawing criticism from heavyweight great Lennox Lewis who was part of the TV broadcast.

From BBC • Apr. 9, 2026

Llama 4 lagged in the fierce AI race as heavyweight rivals from China, France, and the United States produced improved models at a rapid-fire pace.

From Barron's • Apr. 8, 2026

Bruiser Bulk—ain’t he the Upper Midwest heavyweight champ?

From "Lawn Boy Returns" by Gary Paulsen

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

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.