powerlifting

American  

[pou-er-lif-ting] / ˈpaʊ ərˌlɪf tɪŋ /

noun

1. a competition or sport involving three tests of strength: the bench press, squat, and two-handed dead lift.

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powerlifting British  

/ ˈpaʊəˌlɪftɪŋ /

noun

1. a form of weightlifting in which contestants compete in the dead lift, squat, and bench press

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• powerlifter
  noun

Etymology

Origin of powerlifting

First recorded in 1955–60; power ( def. ) + lift ( def. ) + -ing ¹ ( def. ); modeled on weightlifting ( def. )

Example Sentences

She appealed to the sophomore’s football and powerlifting coaches to see if they would be references.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 24, 2026

Still, Cillo made an immediate impact in the Lycoming weight room, where his powerlifting strength stunned his new teammates.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 16, 2025

In 2020, inside the clang-and-clatter of Neshoba Central High’s powerlifting gym, Jarquez Hunter’s coach laid down a dare: squat 645 pounds on three counts.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 10, 2025

The last of these was won by Iran’s Ahmad Aminzadeh in the men’s over-107kg powerlifting at La Chapelle Arena.

From BBC • Sep. 8, 2024

When Crandall tore his meniscus in the lead-up to a recent powerlifting competition, he said people online blamed it on his veganism.

From Salon • Jul. 15, 2024