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.
Lawrence clocked early on that Williams had the chops to hold her own against heavyweights like Harrison Ford. — Maureen Lee Lenker, Los Angeles Times, 10 Aug. 2026 Graham Corporation has secured two US defense contracts worth more than $43 million to supply equipment for the MK48 Mod 7 heavyweight torpedo and the country’s submarine fleet. — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 9 Aug. 2026 There is no denying Kosmera aims to challenge hypercar heavyweights like Rimac and Koenigsegg, as well as its main domestic rival, BYD. — New Atlas, 7 Aug. 2026 Others hit by the stampede out of software included heavyweights such as ServiceNow, Applovin and Salesforce. — David Bloom, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 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 13 Aug. 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

Nglish: Translation of heavyweight for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about heavyweight

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