heavyweight

noun, often attributive heavy·weight \ ˈhe-vē-ˌwāt \

|Updated on: 22 Jul 2018

Examples: heavyweight in a Sentence

Definition of heavyweight

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

See heavyweight defined for English-language learners

See heavyweight defined for kids

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 of heavyweight from the Web

Cespedes’s heavy weight lifting regimen and lack of run training, stretching and hydration were blamed for his past leg injuries.

— james wagner, New York Times, "The Mets Are Missing Two Big Things: Wins and Yoenis Cespedes," 7 July 2018
Both Bruno and Murdock advise working your way up to this move instead of jumping right in with the heaviest weight off the rack.

— leah prinzivalli, SELF, "Why Kate Upton’s Twist on Hip Thrusts Is a Great Butt-Strengthening Move," 7 Mar. 2018
Until management finally traded Rose to the Knicks in June 2016, his past — the almost-too-good-to-be-true ascension, the no-brainer contract extension, the ensuing knee surgeries — saddled the franchise with a heavy weight.

— k.c. johnson, chicagotribune.com, "20 years since dissolution of the dynasty, Bulls still a long way from the top," 10 June 2018
Place in refrigerator, put a heavy weight such as a cast-iron pan on the sub and let rest overnight.

— adina steiman, WSJ, "A Cookbook Packed With Red-Blooded Vegetarian Fare," 31 May 2018
But with the crown comes the heavy weight of responsibility.

— jim ayello, Indianapolis Star, "Power's surge, Hinchcliffe's return, clarity on Alonso as IndyCar heads to Detroit," 31 May 2018
Define your terms Muscle strength comes from lifting heavy weights, with sets typically in the six- to ten-rep range.

— boris abrams, GQ, "How to Take Better Nudes," 17 May 2018
Squats and dead lifts were her primary focus, with an emphasis on heavier weights.

— dave melton, Post-Tribune, "A rise from Shine: junior sprinter Adeyah Shine sparks host Munster at Ed Woodrick Invitational," 28 Apr. 2018
There, these big fish, at their heaviest weight of the year, are more vulnerable to anglers than just about any other time.

— shannon tompkins, Houston Chronicle, "March Madness arrives on Texas' waters," 10 Mar. 2018

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

First Known Use of heavyweight

1857

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

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heavyweight Synonyms

HEAVYWEIGHT Defined for English Language Learners

heavyweight

noun

Definition of heavyweight for English Language Learners

: a fighter in the heaviest class of boxers : a boxer who weighs more than 175 pounds (79.5 kilograms)
: someone or something that is very important and powerful
: something that is heavy