heavyweight

[hev-ee-weyt]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR heavyweight ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

of more than average weight or thickness: a coat of heavyweight material.

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

of or relating to the weight class or division of such boxers: a heavyweight bout.

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

designating a person, company, nation, or other entity that is extremely powerful, influential, or important: a team of heavyweight lawyers.

noun

a person of more than average weight.

a heavyweight boxer or wrestler.

a person, company, nation, or other entity that is powerful and influential: a price hike initiated by the heavyweights in the industry.

Nearby words

Origin of heavyweight

First recorded in 1850–55; heavy + weight

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for heavyweight

Muhammad Ali “shocked the world” 50 years ago this week when he beat Sonny Liston to become the heavyweight champion of the world.
The Stacks: The True Greatness of Muhammad Ali|Peter Richmond|February 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST
After serving three years, Tyson quickly got back into the fight game and regained the heavyweight title one year later.
Why Bieber Could Benefit From Scandal|Joe Concha|January 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST
RockLive had already raised $1.6 million from heavyweight investors including boxer Floyd Mayweather.
Justin Bieber and the New Golden Age of Selfies|Caitlin Dickson|November 14, 2013|DAILY BEAST
He did become the 2010 Golden Gloves heavyweight champion for New England and win its Rocky Graziano Award.
The Boston Marathon Suspects Are Killers, Not Combatants|Michael Daly|April 21, 2013|DAILY BEAST

Now 17 years and 46 bouts later, the WBC heavyweight king is near the end of his reign.
Vitali Klitschko Contemplates Bowing Out of the Ring and Entering Ukrainian Politics|Gordon Marino|March 26, 2013|DAILY BEAST
"It would be real mean if they didn't," volunteered the heavyweight lady of the committee.
A Pirate of Parts|Richard Neville
When that heavyweight settled down, it was like a stone wagon dropping into a hole in the road.
The Boy Scouts at the Panama-Pacific Exposition|Howard Payson
Is this the lady that's entered for the heavyweight Juliet championship?
Torchy|Sewell Ford
If it was th' soul wud be in th' heavyweight class, f'r th' New England conscience is no feather.
Mr. Dooley Says|Finley Dunne
He was billed to fight both Pewther and a French heavyweight aspirant the same evening.
The Stars & Stripes, Vol 1, No 1, February 8, 1918|American Expeditionary Forces

British Dictionary definitions for heavyweight

heavyweight

noun

a person or thing that is heavier than average

a professional boxer weighing more than 175 pounds (79 kg)
an amateur boxer weighing more than 81 kg (179 pounds)
(as modifier)the world heavyweight championship

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

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

Word Origin and History for heavyweight

heavyweight

noun and adj., 1857 of horses; 1877 of fighters; from heavy + weight. Figuratively, of importance, from 1928.

heavyweight

adjective

noun

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Origin of heavyweight

Examples from the Web for heavyweight

heavyweight

noun

heavyweight