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
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
Hong Kong/Islamabad — As the war in the Gulf careens into its second month, dragging down the global economy with no off-ramp in sight, questions are deepening around what role China – a global heavyweight and diplomatic partner to Iran – is willing to play.
—
Sophia Saifi, CNN Money, 1 Apr. 2026
The hospitality heavyweight, which has branched out beyond luxury trains and into yachts and hotels, just opened a second property in Italy.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 31 Mar. 2026
Unlike other international financial heavyweights like the IMF or the World Bank, the Paris Club lacks a legal mandate or statutes.
—Sven Van Mourik, The Dial, 31 Mar. 2026
Even projects backed by industrial heavyweights have not been immune.
—Tiisetso Motsoeneng, semafor.com, 30 Mar. 2026
The competition categories include lightweight, middleweight and heavyweight.
—Marla Jo Fisher, Oc Register, 26 Mar. 2026
The current race similarly features a political heavyweight, a wealthy businessman with a substantial advertising presence, and underdog candidates defying expectations about their viability.
—Los Angeles Times, 25 Mar. 2026
Celebrating Fruits, Veggies, Dairy, and Some Sodium At the top of the pyramid, with the protein heavyweights, are vegetables and fruits.
—Outside, 24 Mar. 2026
Hospitality heavyweights like Orient Express, The Ritz-Carlton, Aman and Four Seasons are taking their brand of high-end service to the high seas, betting that affluent travelers would rather board a boutique yacht than a floating megacity.
—Elycia Rubin, HollywoodReporter, 24 Mar. 2026
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Sophia Saifi, CNN Money, 1 Apr. 2026
The hospitality heavyweight, which has branched out beyond luxury trains and into yachts and hotels, just opened a second property in Italy.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 31 Mar. 2026
Unlike other international financial heavyweights like the IMF or the World Bank, the Paris Club lacks a legal mandate or statutes.
—Sven Van Mourik, The Dial, 31 Mar. 2026
Even projects backed by industrial heavyweights have not been immune.
—Tiisetso Motsoeneng, semafor.com, 30 Mar. 2026
The competition categories include lightweight, middleweight and heavyweight.
—Marla Jo Fisher, Oc Register, 26 Mar. 2026
The current race similarly features a political heavyweight, a wealthy businessman with a substantial advertising presence, and underdog candidates defying expectations about their viability.
—Los Angeles Times, 25 Mar. 2026
Celebrating Fruits, Veggies, Dairy, and Some Sodium At the top of the pyramid, with the protein heavyweights, are vegetables and fruits.
—Outside, 24 Mar. 2026
Hospitality heavyweights like Orient Express, The Ritz-Carlton, Aman and Four Seasons are taking their brand of high-end service to the high seas, betting that affluent travelers would rather board a boutique yacht than a floating megacity.
—Elycia Rubin, HollywoodReporter, 24 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Heavyweight.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/heavyweight. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids 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
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