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
Crypto companies are also exploring their own stablecoin plays, including the decentralized finance heavyweight Aave Labs and the Monad Foundation, which is behind a forthcoming blockchain.
—
Ben Weiss, Fortune, 11 Nov. 2025
While this list includes heritage heavyweights like Burberry and Bottega Veneta, an honourable mention must also go to The Frankie Shop and Toteme, brands that sit within the contemporary bracket and have spearheaded many coat trends.
—Emma Spedding, Vogue, 11 Nov. 2025
Live Super Bowl odds NFC heavyweights Week 10’s action closed with the Philadelphia Eagles gutting out a defensive monster against the Green Bay Packers in Monday Night Football.
—Hannah Vanbiber, New York Times, 11 Nov. 2025
In 1996, DiCaprio starred alongside fellow Hollywood heavyweight Claire Danes in Romeo + Juliet.
—Grace Gavilanes, PEOPLE, 11 Nov. 2025
Six other watches from the Hollywood heavyweight’s personal collection will also go under the gavel, alongside two incredible pieces by legendary independent watchmaker Philippe Dufour.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 11 Nov. 2025
Once sanctioned for terrorism by the West, the leader now appears to be on a global diplomatic charm offensive, bolstered by aggressive lobbying from regional heavyweights Saudi Arabia and Turkey, US allies eager to fill a power and economic vacuum left by Iran and Russia.
—Mostafa Salem, CNN Money, 10 Nov. 2025
The congratulatory messages from the two ex-presidents, who are among the Democratic Party’s most popular national figures, appear to be a signal mainstream Democratic heavyweights are warming up to Mamdani as the party continues to regroup following staggering losses nationally in 2024.
—Chris Sommerfeldt, Mercury News, 7 Nov. 2025
In the first episode of Season 3, Tommy is working to unite the city's biggest drug heavyweights to solidify his own network alongside his partner, Diamond.
—Taylor Ardrey, USA Today, 7 Nov. 2025
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Ben Weiss, Fortune, 11 Nov. 2025
While this list includes heritage heavyweights like Burberry and Bottega Veneta, an honourable mention must also go to The Frankie Shop and Toteme, brands that sit within the contemporary bracket and have spearheaded many coat trends.
—Emma Spedding, Vogue, 11 Nov. 2025
Live Super Bowl odds NFC heavyweights Week 10’s action closed with the Philadelphia Eagles gutting out a defensive monster against the Green Bay Packers in Monday Night Football.
—Hannah Vanbiber, New York Times, 11 Nov. 2025
In 1996, DiCaprio starred alongside fellow Hollywood heavyweight Claire Danes in Romeo + Juliet.
—Grace Gavilanes, PEOPLE, 11 Nov. 2025
Six other watches from the Hollywood heavyweight’s personal collection will also go under the gavel, alongside two incredible pieces by legendary independent watchmaker Philippe Dufour.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 11 Nov. 2025
Once sanctioned for terrorism by the West, the leader now appears to be on a global diplomatic charm offensive, bolstered by aggressive lobbying from regional heavyweights Saudi Arabia and Turkey, US allies eager to fill a power and economic vacuum left by Iran and Russia.
—Mostafa Salem, CNN Money, 10 Nov. 2025
The congratulatory messages from the two ex-presidents, who are among the Democratic Party’s most popular national figures, appear to be a signal mainstream Democratic heavyweights are warming up to Mamdani as the party continues to regroup following staggering losses nationally in 2024.
—Chris Sommerfeldt, Mercury News, 7 Nov. 2025
In the first episode of Season 3, Tommy is working to unite the city's biggest drug heavyweights to solidify his own network alongside his partner, Diamond.
—Taylor Ardrey, USA Today, 7 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Heavyweight.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/heavyweight. Accessed 16 Nov. 2025.
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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share