heavyweight

[hev-ee-weyt]

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

/ 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of heavyweight¹

First recorded in 1850–55; heavy + weight

Example Sentences

But as for who is mightiest between the two heavyweights, the 25-year-old said Tuesday's match will tell.

Read more on Barron's

He's also a genuine heavyweight who is steeped not just in musical knowledge, but culture, history and philosophy.

Read more on BBC

It is the latest Wall Street heavyweight to back the upstart trading venue.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Corruption investigations targeting former Socialist heavyweights and Sanchez's wife have embarrassed Sanchez, who took office in 2018 pledging to clean up Spanish politics after the conservative opposition was convicted in its own graft scandal.

Read more on Barron's

Although the US is the big heavyweight behind this deal, Egypt and Qatar are in many ways just as important.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• bigwig 
• celebrity 
• luminary