heavyweight

noun

heavy·​weight ˈhe-vē-ˌwāt How to pronounce heavyweight (audio)
Synonyms of heavyweightnext
often attributive
1
: one that is above average in weight
2
: one in the usually heaviest class of contestants: such as
a
: a boxer in an unlimited weight division compare light heavyweight
b
: a weight lifter weighing more than 198 pounds
3
: one that possesses great power, prominence, or stature
industry heavyweights

Synonyms of heavyweight

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Examples of heavyweight in a Sentence

Their company is one of the industry's heavyweights. a heavyweight in the U.S. Senate, he has a lot of clout in judicial confirmations
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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Prime Day Deals below—including a few heavyweights like Villeroy & Boch and Dyson. — Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 8 Oct. 2026 Robinson and his team continue to navigate shifts in a brave new world by striking groundbreaking deals with AI music heavyweights and ensuring companies cease training on unlicensed works. — Claudia Rosenbaum, HollywoodReporter, 8 Oct. 2026 Glen Powell is the latest Hollywood heavyweight to express a disinterest in talking about politics in press interviews. — Zack Sharf, Variety, 7 Oct. 2026 But there are some clear heavyweights in the sector – about 56% of that money came from the most powerful 9% of tribal facilities. — Marshall Cohen, CNN Money, 7 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for heavyweight

Word History

First Known Use

1857, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of heavyweight was in 1857

Phrases Containing heavyweight

Rhymes for heavyweight

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Browse Nearby Words

heavy weather
heavyweight
heavy with
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Cite this Entry

“Heavyweight.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/heavyweight. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

heavyweight

noun
heavy·​weight ˈhev-ē-ˌwāt How to pronounce heavyweight (audio)
1
: one above average in weight
2
: one in the heaviest class of contestants
especially : a boxer in an unlimited weight division
3
: someone or something that is very important or powerful
a company that is an industry heavyweight

More from Merriam-Webster on heavyweight

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about heavyweight

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