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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.

Former heavyweight world champion Tyson Fury has announced he will return to boxing in 2026, bringing an end to his latest spell of retirement.

From BBC

The former two-time heavyweight champion was taken to hospital and discharged on Wednesday before returning to the UK this weekend.

From BBC

The two men, close friends of former world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua, died in a car crash on Monday and were part of the Briton's team during his victory over Paul in December.

From BBC

Former world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua has reportedly flown back to Britain after a fatal car crash in Nigeria that killed two of his close friends.

From Barron's

Former world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua has flown back to the UK after a fatal car crash that killed two of his close friends in Nigeria.

From BBC

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.