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
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
In addition, the vessel carries Spearfish heavyweight torpedoes.
—Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 23 Mar. 2026
Although made with recycled Hanna-Barbera cartoons and tiny budgets, Adult Swim shows competed with late-night heavyweights David Letterman and Jay Leno among 18-to-34-year-old men and won over sponsors.
—Eric Vilas-Boas, Vulture, 18 Mar. 2026
Other music heavyweights joining Charli XCX and Lorde as headliners include Tate McRae, Blackpink star Jennie and Grammy-winning songstress Olivia Dean.
—Edward Segarra, USA Today, 17 Mar. 2026
The team entered undefeated in WBC play, having taken out a pair of heavyweights in the United States and Mexico.
—Kansas City Star, 15 Mar. 2026
The kingdom is the region’s heavyweight, and its decisions could shape whether others follow.
—Abbas Al Lawati, CNN Money, 12 Mar. 2026
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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
In addition, the vessel carries Spearfish heavyweight torpedoes.
—Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 23 Mar. 2026
Although made with recycled Hanna-Barbera cartoons and tiny budgets, Adult Swim shows competed with late-night heavyweights David Letterman and Jay Leno among 18-to-34-year-old men and won over sponsors.
—Eric Vilas-Boas, Vulture, 18 Mar. 2026
Other music heavyweights joining Charli XCX and Lorde as headliners include Tate McRae, Blackpink star Jennie and Grammy-winning songstress Olivia Dean.
—Edward Segarra, USA Today, 17 Mar. 2026
The team entered undefeated in WBC play, having taken out a pair of heavyweights in the United States and Mexico.
—Kansas City Star, 15 Mar. 2026
The kingdom is the region’s heavyweight, and its decisions could shape whether others follow.
—Abbas Al Lawati, CNN Money, 12 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Heavyweight.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/heavyweight. Accessed 27 Mar. 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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