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
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
More than 64,000 have been laid off across the tech sector this year as industry heavyweights lead the charge in job automation.
—
Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 2 Sep. 2025
The victory gave him the British, Commonwealth and European heavyweight titles.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 2 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, 1 Sep. 2025
Getty Images Deontay Wilder knows the money and intrigue are there, and the timing feels right for a fight with former UFC heavyweight champion and reigning PFL SuperFights heavyweight king, Francis Ngannou.
—Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2025
On Wednesday, Brad Pitt, Joaquin Phoenix, Rooney Mara, Alfonso Cuaron, and Jonathan Glazer were among the Hollywood heavyweights who joined the project as executive producers.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 29 Aug. 2025
In addition to the Latin presence, global pop and rock heavyweights will dominate the festival’s main stage.
—Isabela Raygoza, Billboard, 28 Aug. 2025
The news was confirmed Thursday by the National Center for Cinema and Image, just two days after it was announced that Hollywood heavyweights — including Brad Pitt, Joaquin Phoenix and Rooney Mara — had boarded the film as executive producers ahead of its world premiere in Venice.
—Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 28 Aug. 2025
The good news for the many low-profile politicians who could end up running for governor next year is that there may be no true political heavyweights on the horizon.
—Craig Gilbert, jsonline.com, 26 Aug. 2025
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 2 Sep. 2025
The victory gave him the British, Commonwealth and European heavyweight titles.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 2 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, 1 Sep. 2025
Getty Images Deontay Wilder knows the money and intrigue are there, and the timing feels right for a fight with former UFC heavyweight champion and reigning PFL SuperFights heavyweight king, Francis Ngannou.
—Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2025
On Wednesday, Brad Pitt, Joaquin Phoenix, Rooney Mara, Alfonso Cuaron, and Jonathan Glazer were among the Hollywood heavyweights who joined the project as executive producers.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 29 Aug. 2025
In addition to the Latin presence, global pop and rock heavyweights will dominate the festival’s main stage.
—Isabela Raygoza, Billboard, 28 Aug. 2025
The news was confirmed Thursday by the National Center for Cinema and Image, just two days after it was announced that Hollywood heavyweights — including Brad Pitt, Joaquin Phoenix and Rooney Mara — had boarded the film as executive producers ahead of its world premiere in Venice.
—Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 28 Aug. 2025
The good news for the many low-profile politicians who could end up running for governor next year is that there may be no true political heavyweights on the horizon.
—Craig Gilbert, jsonline.com, 26 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Heavyweight.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/heavyweight. Accessed 9 Sep. 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
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