heavyweight

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

Updated on: 16 Apr 2018

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

Some teams told their tall players to jog and hold heavy weights before the official measurement, according to Yonhap.

— dan gartland, SI.com, "Korean Basketball League Sets Height Limits for Foreign Players," 12 Apr. 2018
When Tobolsky’s injury didn’t seem to be improving, sheriff’s investigators followed him to a gym and shot video of him lifting the heavy weights, Kessler said.

— pauline repard, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Former deputy sheriff given probation, work furlough in insurance fraud case," 10 Apr. 2018
Woods also lifted heavy weights, an activity players before him had avoided in the belief that big muscles would restrict flexibility and impede their swings.

— karen crouse, New York Times, "At the Masters, Tiger Woods Is a Cautionary Tale and a Favorite," 4 Apr. 2018
Spotify will make its highly anticipated Wall Street debut on Tuesday, potentially raising billions for company employees and existing investors, and luring some Silicon Valley heavy weights to follow them onto the public markets.

— renae merle and hamza shaban, chicagotribune.com, "Spotify is set to go public, but its unusual approach comes with some risks," 3 Apr. 2018
People were being spanked, hot wax was being poured on bare skin, a man was walking around with heavy weights hung from his balls.

— jera brown, Marie Claire, "Inside the Wild World of "Pony Play" Sex," 20 Dec. 2017
The male characters likely spent more time putting on mass with heavy weights and then leaned out just before filming.

— kimberly garrison, Philly.com, "How to train like a 'Black Panther'," 20 Feb. 2018
Lifting heavy weights—and doing it well—requires a lot of sometimes-unconventional fuels.

— emily abbate, GQ, "The Real-Life Diet of Brent Fikowski, CrossFit Superstar and Griller of Pig Hearts," 25 Jan. 2018
But for anyone whose exercise regimen typically consists of lifting heavy weights, doing cardio, and then lifting more weights, sprinkling in a regular yoga workout can do wonders for an overtaxed body.

— jay willis, GQ, "Yoga Day Is the New Rest Day," 17 Jan. 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

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