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

However, with Jack Della Maddalena defeating Muhammad, that opened the door for Makhachev to move to welterweight. —Trent Reinsmith, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025

Born into poverty in the Philippines, Pacquiao became the only boxer to win world titles in eight different divisions, from flyweight to super welterweight. —Jad El Reda, Los Angeles Times, 20 June 2025

In the main event, ex-UFC welterweight kingpin Kamaru Usman ended a three-fight losing skid with a decision win over Joaquin Buckley. —Trent Reinsmith, Forbes.com, 16 June 2025

Kamaru Usman of Nigeria looks on before a welterweight title bout against Leon Edwards of Jamaica during UFC 278 at Vivint Arena on August 20, 2022 in Salt Lake City, Utah. —Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 June 2025

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
• adsorbate
• aggravate
• agitate
• alginate
• alienate
• allocate
• amputate

Kids Definition

welterweight

noun

wel·​ter·​weight ˈwel-tər-ˌwāt 

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