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.

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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

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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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

Preliminary discussions value the Chinese AI heavyweight at between $10 billion and $30 billion, the people said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 23, 2026

Paramount, which is looking to transform itself into a Hollywood heavyweight, is backed by tech billionaire Larry Ellison and led by his son David.

From BBC • Apr. 23, 2026

He is undefeated in three heavyweight fights and stopped Ebenezer Tetteh last December in his most recent outing.

From BBC • Apr. 21, 2026

Nvidia may be best known as a heavyweight in artificial intelligence, but Tuesday’s announcement doesn’t mark its foray into quantum.

From Barron's • Apr. 14, 2026

The national network proved very effective, providing heavyweight support for the brave but legally powerless.

From "A Few Red Drops: The Chicago Race Riot of 1919" by Claire Hartfield

Related Words

• bigwig
• celebrity
• luminary