heavyweight
noun
heavy·weight
ˈhe-vē-ˌwāt 
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
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
Recent Examples on the Web
Some of the highlights of the collection are the super heavyweight sweatshirts and joggers (650g) designed to hold shape wear after wear; a heavyweight jersey (300g) with an oversized, roomy fit; and an interlock jersey (300g) with a polished finish.
—
Renan Botelho, Footwear News, 28 Oct. 2025
Liu is far from the only Hollywood heavyweight to lament the use of AI in filmmaking.
—Katie Campione, Deadline, 27 Oct. 2025
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) has successfully recruited prized political heavyweights in key battlegrounds, but left-wing insurgents are threatening to dash his plans to create a competitive midterm map for Democrats.
—Ramsey Touchberry, The Washington Examiner, 26 Oct. 2025
Poltergeist pairs two Hollywood heavyweights, with Steven Spielberg behind the story and Tobe Hooper in the director's chair — and the result is pure movie magic.
—Steven Thrash, Entertainment Weekly, 25 Oct. 2025
Speculation, in recent weeks, has mounted about a potential heavyweight contender jumping into the race for governor.
—Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Oc Register, 25 Oct. 2025
Aspinall, who was making his first defense as undisputed UFC heavyweight champion, entered the Octagon in Abu Dhabi as a heavy favorite against Gane.
—MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Oct. 2025
Australia’s latest chart week was pitched as a fight of two heavyweights.
—Lars Brandle, Billboard, 24 Oct. 2025
Just before Celebrini’s goal, Sharks winger Ryan Reaves and Rangers forward Matt Rempe renewed acquaintances in a marquee fight between two of the NHL’s true heavyweights.
—Curtis Pashelka, Mercury News, 24 Oct. 2025
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Renan Botelho, Footwear News, 28 Oct. 2025
Liu is far from the only Hollywood heavyweight to lament the use of AI in filmmaking.
—Katie Campione, Deadline, 27 Oct. 2025
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) has successfully recruited prized political heavyweights in key battlegrounds, but left-wing insurgents are threatening to dash his plans to create a competitive midterm map for Democrats.
—Ramsey Touchberry, The Washington Examiner, 26 Oct. 2025
Poltergeist pairs two Hollywood heavyweights, with Steven Spielberg behind the story and Tobe Hooper in the director's chair — and the result is pure movie magic.
—Steven Thrash, Entertainment Weekly, 25 Oct. 2025
Speculation, in recent weeks, has mounted about a potential heavyweight contender jumping into the race for governor.
—Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Oc Register, 25 Oct. 2025
Aspinall, who was making his first defense as undisputed UFC heavyweight champion, entered the Octagon in Abu Dhabi as a heavy favorite against Gane.
—MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Oct. 2025
Australia’s latest chart week was pitched as a fight of two heavyweights.
—Lars Brandle, Billboard, 24 Oct. 2025
Just before Celebrini’s goal, Sharks winger Ryan Reaves and Rangers forward Matt Rempe renewed acquaintances in a marquee fight between two of the NHL’s true heavyweights.
—Curtis Pashelka, Mercury News, 24 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Heavyweight.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/heavyweight. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
heavyweight
noun
heavy·weight
ˈhev-ē-ˌwāt
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
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