heavyweight

American  

[hev-ee-wayt] / 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

• heavyweights
  plural

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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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• heavyweights
  plural

Etymology

Origin of heavyweight

First recorded in 1850–55; heavy + weight

Explanation

A heavyweight is someone or something that is impressive in relative size or importance. In sports like boxing and wrestling, a heavyweight is a contestant in the group that includes the largest, heaviest competitors. Heavyweight, a compound word formed by joining heavy and weight, was first used in the late 1700s to categorize long-distance race horses who could carry heavier-than-average riders and gear. The sports meaning soon followed, with boxers sorted into lightweight, middleweight, or heavyweight divisions to ensure, for example, that a 225-pound athlete wouldn't be matched against a 130-pound opponent. Figuratively, this word describes an impressive or prominent figure — you might say that a powerful senior lawmaker is a heavyweight in the Senate.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

heavyweight heavyweights

Former heavyweight champion Tyson Fury has said he wants US President Donald Trump to lead him to the ring "for his epic showdown with Anthony Joshua", according to the Daily Star.

From BBC ● Oct. 3, 2026

Market share and sales are down for the Dearborn, Michigan, heavyweight, and up for the South Korean group.

From Barron's ● Oct. 3, 2026

The sculpture first appeared in 1982’s “Rocky III,” when the character was world heavyweight champion.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 30, 2026

He became part of their NXT promotion and won its heavyweight title before he was promoted to the main roster.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 28, 2026

"Oh, yeah, I know you. Fighting for the heavyweight championship of the world next week, right?"

From "The Contender" by Robert Lipsyte

Beyoncé and Jay-Z own a home there, as well as technology heavyweights such as venture capitalist Marc Andreessen and Laurene Powell Jobs.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 7, 2026

Wembley Stadium was long assumed to be the natural home for a meeting between the two defining British heavyweights of their generation.

From BBC ● Sep. 21, 2026

“It’s just such an honor to be considered amongst heavyweights like that. Dame Helen Mirren. Crikey.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 16, 2026

That provides a preview of what could become a model for collaboration with AI heavyweights where Salesforce remains relevant.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 8, 2026

There had been a grand theatrical season and a whole crop of great young light heavyweights.

From "The Sun Also Rises" by Ernest Hemingway

Related Words

• bigwig
• celebrity
• luminary