deadweight

noun

dead·weight | \ ˈded-ˈwāt

Definition of deadweight

1 : the unrelieved weight of an inert mass

2 : dead load

3 : a ship's load including the total weight of cargo, fuel, stores, crew, and passengers

Examples of deadweight in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The best thing the Lakers could do for themselves, and LeBron James, is jettison Lonzo Ball and his deadweight daddy, and go looking for a healthy, mature partner for James. — Sally Jenkins, chicagotribune.com, "Welcome to L.A., LeBron James. See yourself out, LaVar Ball.," 2 July 2018 When it is completed, the new Matson vessel will have a lifting capacity, or deadweight, of 51,400 metric tons, and will hold 3,600 20-foot equivalent container units, or TEUs. — Andrew Maykuth, Philly.com, "With dearth of orders, Philly Shipyard's future is at risk," 10 May 2018 About 60 percent of the deadweight tonnage moved to front lines is gasoline and oil. — Popular Mechanics, "How the D-Day Invasion Was Planned," 6 June 2017 Her incredible ability to get played for a sucker by her own party is a deadweight on the entire national legislature. — Charles P. Pierce, Esquire, "Area Adults Forced to Use Talking Stick," 23 Jan. 2018 Immigration is becoming a deadweight loss by the day for the Republican Party and conservative politics. — Daniel Henninger, WSJ, "The Immigration Morass," 6 Sep. 2017 He's said California's economy is proof that combating climate change isn't the economic deadweight Trump suggests. — Kathleen Ronayne, chicagotribune.com, "Three states unite to back climate deal: 'This is an insane move by this president'," 1 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'deadweight.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.