welterweight

noun

wel·​ter·​weight ˈwel-tər-ˌwāt How to pronounce welterweight (audio)
: a boxer in a weight division having a maximum limit of 147 pounds compare lightweight, middleweight

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web Lapicus lost to Christian Lee in a welterweight title fight in October 2020 in the first round via technical knockout. Ryan Gaydos, Fox News, 20 Mar. 2023 With his welterweight title on the line at Bellator 291, Amosov will face Logan Storley in a rematch at the 3Arena in Dublin, Ireland. Anthony Stitt, Forbes, 23 Feb. 2023 The headliner will be a 10-round junior welterweight bout between Orestes Velasquez (5-0) and Guillermo Crocco (20-2-1) for the WBA International belt. Staff Reports, Orlando Sentinel, 9 Dec. 2022 He’s won titles in eight weight divisions — from flyweight to welterweight. Washington Post, 19 July 2021 On the same card, another fighter from Kahn’s stable, Georgia’s Nikoloz Sekhniashvili (8-1) will take on undefeated American welterweight prospect Jahi Tucker. Brian Mazique, Forbes, 22 Feb. 2023 The Grand Prairie native, 24, will face Lithuanian Eimantas Stanionis in a welterweight bout scheduled for April 28, at the College Park Center on the UT-Arlington campus. Dallas News, 14 Feb. 2023 Fighting for the sixth time in his hometown, the San Antonio welterweight ended his two-fight losing streak in emphatic fashion with an eight-round TKO of Jovanie Santiago of Puerto Rico on Saturday night at the Alamodome. John Whisler, San Antonio Express-News, 11 Feb. 2023 Sugar Ray Leonard was fighting Andy Price for the North American Boxing Federation welterweight title. Matthew Allan, Rolling Stone, 4 Feb. 2023 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'welterweight.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Word History

Etymology

welter "a heavyweight horseman or boxer" (of obscure origin) + weight entry 1

Note: Compare welter in Joseph Wright, English Dialect Dictionary: "anything large of its kind; a 'whopper'" (attestation mostly from west Midlands).

First Known Use

circa 1892, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of welterweight was circa 1892

Dictionary Entries Near welterweight

Cite this Entry

“Welterweight.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/welterweight. Accessed 24 Mar. 2023.

Kids Definition

welterweight

noun
wel·​ter·​weight ˈwel-tər-ˌwāt How to pronounce welterweight (audio)
: a boxer in a weight division having an upper limit of 147 pounds

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