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

The fight will be contested at welterweight. —Trent Reinsmith, Forbes.com, 29 May 2026

Sugar Ray Leonard won world titles in five weight classes during his career, snagged the 1976 Olympic gold medal in light-welterweight boxing in Montreal, and was the first fighter to make $100 million in prize money. —Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 28 May 2026

Though a pair of TVs, one airing Fox News, the other one the evening’s preliminary bouts—featuring American welterweight Kevin Holland—do occasionally distract him. —Sean Gregory, Time, 26 May 2026

Perry won the welterweight matchup on a doctor's stoppage after bloodying Diaz. —ABC News, 20 May 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