welterweight

noun

wel·​ter·​weight ˈwel-tər-ˌwāt 

: a boxer in a weight division having a maximum limit of 147 pounds compare lightweight, middleweight

Examples of welterweight in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

An independent review of the scoring in Manny Pacquiao’s contentious WBO welterweight world title loss to Jeff Horn confirms the outcome in favor of the Australian. — Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2026

Conor McGregor returns to the Octagon at UFC 329, headlining against Max Holloway in a welterweight rematch. — Trent Reinsmith, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026

Standing 6-1 and weighing in south of 190 pounds, Aaram-Olsen was one of the only welterweight forward types of Vancouver’s 2026 draft class. — Thomas Drance, New York Times, 28 June 2026

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

Rhymes for welterweight

• abdicate
• abrogate
• acetate
• activate
• actuate
• aggravate
• agitate
• alginate
• alienate
• allocate
• amputate
• angulate

Kids Definition

welterweight

noun

wel·​ter·​weight ˈwel-tər-ˌwāt 

: a boxer in a weight division having an upper limit of 147 pounds