welterweight

noun

wel·​ter·​weight ˈwel-tər-ˌwāt 

: a boxer in a weight division having a maximum limit of 147 pounds compare lightweight, middleweight

Examples of welterweight in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

That distinction has only grown as Makhachev climbed, vacating the lightweight title now held by Ilia Topuria before claiming welterweight gold. —Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 20 June 2026

He is scheduled to do so July 11 in a welterweight bout against Max Holloway at UFC 329 in Las Vegas as the main event of International Fight Week. —Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 12 June 2026

Askren will face former UFC welterweight champion Belal Muhammad in a wrestling match at Real American Freestyle 11 on July 18, his 42nd birthday, in Milwaukee. —Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 3 June 2026

The 37-year-old became UFC’s first Palestinian champion at UFC 304 in July 2024 before losing the welterweight belt to Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 315 in May 2025. —Matt Moret, New York Times, 2 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

welter "a heavyweight horseman or boxer" (of obscure origin) + weight entry 1

Note: Compare welter in Joseph Wright, English Dialect Dictionary: "anything large of its kind; a 'whopper'" (attestation mostly from west Midlands).

First Known Use

circa 1892, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for welterweight

• abdicate
• abrogate
• acetate
• activate
• actuate
• aggravate
• agitate
• alginate
• alienate
• allocate
• amputate
• angulate

Kids Definition

welterweight

noun

wel·​ter·​weight ˈwel-tər-ˌwāt 

: a boxer in a weight division having an upper limit of 147 pounds