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
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
This season with the Lightning, Douglas’ fight card reflects a veritable who’s who of the NHL’s most prominent heavyweights, including bouts with Mathieu Olivier, Kurtis MacDermid and Tom Wilson.
—Thomas Drance, New York Times, 11 Mar. 2026
Even as the wealth tax debate weakens Khanna’s support among Silicon Valley heavyweights, this may not be enough to unseat him, Maviglio said, noting the tax would affect fewer than 250 people in the state.
—Julia Shapero, The Hill, 11 Mar. 2026
DeRosa didn’t start heavyweights Bryce Harper, Cal Raleigh, Brice Turang, Byron Buxton and Alex Bregman.
—Shayna Rubin, San Francisco Chronicle, 11 Mar. 2026
Air Force commit Joey Favia, a senior 285-pounder and state runner-up at heavyweight, praised Garcia for remaining focused but also having time for his teammates.
—Patrick Z. McGavin, Chicago Tribune, 11 Mar. 2026
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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
This season with the Lightning, Douglas’ fight card reflects a veritable who’s who of the NHL’s most prominent heavyweights, including bouts with Mathieu Olivier, Kurtis MacDermid and Tom Wilson.
—Thomas Drance, New York Times, 11 Mar. 2026
Even as the wealth tax debate weakens Khanna’s support among Silicon Valley heavyweights, this may not be enough to unseat him, Maviglio said, noting the tax would affect fewer than 250 people in the state.
—Julia Shapero, The Hill, 11 Mar. 2026
DeRosa didn’t start heavyweights Bryce Harper, Cal Raleigh, Brice Turang, Byron Buxton and Alex Bregman.
—Shayna Rubin, San Francisco Chronicle, 11 Mar. 2026
Air Force commit Joey Favia, a senior 285-pounder and state runner-up at heavyweight, praised Garcia for remaining focused but also having time for his teammates.
—Patrick Z. McGavin, Chicago Tribune, 11 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Heavyweight.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/heavyweight. Accessed 19 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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