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
Because eventually the Knicks will have to stop picking on teams beneath them and trade punches with a legitimate heavyweight.
—
Kristian Winfield, Sun Sentinel, 25 May 2026
Because eventually the Knicks will have to stop picking on teams beneath them and trade punches with a legitimate heavyweight.
—Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 24 May 2026
Shaky Kospi rally Bae, who also holds the portfolio of South Korea's minister for science and technology, was also asked about sharp gains in South Korean markets, led by heavyweights Samsung and SK Hynix which have seen their shares rise due to the AI boom.
—Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 23 May 2026
How will the heavyweights fare?
—Damon Wise, Deadline, 23 May 2026
Warhol was a discerning watch collector, amassing hundreds of timepieces by heavyweights such as Rolex, Cartier, Piaget, and, of course, Patek, throughout his lifetime.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 22 May 2026
Usyk is the best heavyweight of his generation.
—Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 22 May 2026
In another bout, former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou knocked out Philipe Lins in the first round.
—ABC News, 20 May 2026
Truwit has struck sponsorship pacts with such blue-chip brands as Nike, and is on the corporate speaking tour for such heavyweights as Amazon, Merck and Bank of America.
—William Earl, Variety, 19 May 2026
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Kristian Winfield, Sun Sentinel, 25 May 2026
Because eventually the Knicks will have to stop picking on teams beneath them and trade punches with a legitimate heavyweight.
—Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 24 May 2026
Shaky Kospi rally Bae, who also holds the portfolio of South Korea's minister for science and technology, was also asked about sharp gains in South Korean markets, led by heavyweights Samsung and SK Hynix which have seen their shares rise due to the AI boom.
—Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 23 May 2026
How will the heavyweights fare?
—Damon Wise, Deadline, 23 May 2026
Warhol was a discerning watch collector, amassing hundreds of timepieces by heavyweights such as Rolex, Cartier, Piaget, and, of course, Patek, throughout his lifetime.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 22 May 2026
Usyk is the best heavyweight of his generation.
—Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 22 May 2026
In another bout, former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou knocked out Philipe Lins in the first round.
—ABC News, 20 May 2026
Truwit has struck sponsorship pacts with such blue-chip brands as Nike, and is on the corporate speaking tour for such heavyweights as Amazon, Merck and Bank of America.
—William Earl, Variety, 19 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Heavyweight.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/heavyweight. Accessed 30 May. 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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