powerlifting

American  

[pau-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

• powerlifter
  noun

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Etymology

Origin of powerlifting

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

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

powerlifting

The author began with powerlifting, with the end goal of competing in a fitness competition.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 17, 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

Now Ms Cohen, who also won a silver medal in powerlifting at the Commonwealth Games, is head of the company which employs 70 people at its head office in Bridgend.

From BBC ● Aug. 13, 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

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