heavyweight

noun

heavy·​weight ˈhe-vē-ˌwāt 

often attributive

1

: one that is above average in weight

2

: one in the usually heaviest class of contestants: such as

a

: a boxer in an unlimited weight division compare light heavyweight

b

: a weight lifter weighing more than 198 pounds

3

: one that possesses great power, prominence, or stature

industry heavyweights

Synonyms of heavyweight

• heavy
• big

Examples of heavyweight in a Sentence

Their company is one of the industry's heavyweights.

a heavyweight in the U.S. Senate, he has a lot of clout in judicial confirmations

Recent Examples on the Web

The British heavyweight usually trains on the same canvas – and crucially, the same underlay – all through his camp. — Chris McKenna, New York Times, 22 July 2026

An Albanian heavyweight who stands six foot five and who has compiled a record of 20-1 with 20 knockouts. — Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026

With heavyweights like Alphabet , Tesla , and Intel reporting earnings this week, the entire tech sector is about to make a massive move. — Nishant Pant, CNBC, 21 July 2026

Furthermore, Interlune has locked in nearly $500 million in binding future purchase agreements from quantum cooling heavyweights Bluefors and Maybell Quantum. — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 21 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1857, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing heavyweight

• light heavyweight

Rhymes for heavyweight

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

Kids Definition

heavyweight

noun

heavy·​weight ˈhev-ē-ˌwāt 

1

: one above average in weight

2

: one in the heaviest class of contestants

especially : a boxer in an unlimited weight division

3

: someone or something that is very important or powerful

a company that is an industry heavyweight