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

Theories abound that Mayweather recognized his enduring marketability when Pacquiao fought astonishingly well in a draw against WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios in 2025. —Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 2 Mar. 2026

He is set to fight again, in April this year, in a 10-round welterweight exhibition against 42-year-old Ruslan Provodnikov, before his reunion with Mayweather in Las Vegas. —Sarah Shephard, New York Times, 24 Feb. 2026

Garcia dominated Mario Barrios to win by unanimous decision and capture the WBC welterweight championship. —ABC News, 22 Feb. 2026

Tonight, Garcia takes on Mario Barrios for the WBC welterweight title in Las Vegas. —Marley Malenfant, Austin American Statesman, 21 Feb. 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
• 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