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

Synonyms

• 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

His surprising gold medal in the light-heavyweight division, over a Polish champion seven years his senior, made Clay something of a household name in the States. —Vann R. Newkirk Ii, The Atlantic, 16 Sep. 2025

Icy girls, tastemakers, and cultural heavyweights came together in FiDi for a night of music, cocktails, and community. —Skylar Mitchell, Essence, 16 Sep. 2025

It was announced that WWE wrestler Braun Strowman will face heavyweight boxer Tyson Fury and WWE champion Brock Lesnar will take on former UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez at the WWE's Crown Jewel event at Fahd International Stadium in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on October 31. —Andrew Ravens‎, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Sep. 2025

That event gained infamy for numerous technical glitches and a main event called rigged by many fans, including some sports and Hollywood heavyweights. —Jason Clinkscales, Sportico.com, 15 Sep. 2025

Last Sunday, Moroney won the MTV VMAs Best Country award, beating out genre heavyweights like Jelly Roll, Morgan Wallen and Lainey Wilson for the first-of-its-kind honor. —Theoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 14 Sep. 2025

While the decision was ridiculous, neither of them is going to strike fear in the hearts of the top heavyweights. —Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025

The two Patriot League heavyweights have faced off in the Div. —Brendan Connelly, Boston Herald, 13 Sep. 2025

Minus Lee, the Golden Eagles don’t have the size up front to match any of those heavyweights, especially Cherry Creek. —Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 12 Sep. 2025

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
• adsorbate
• aggravate
• agitate
• alginate
• alienate
• allocate
• amputate

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