English Reference
noun · adjective

heavyweight

n. · adj.
US /ˈhɛviˌweɪt/ UK /hˈɛviwˌeɪt/ heavy·weight UK spelling heavyweights

  1. 01 B2 Upper Intermediate Sport

    n.a boxer or fighter in the heaviest weight class.

    n.a competitor in the heaviest weight division of a combat sport, typically exceeding 200 pounds in professional boxing.

    Simple

    The heavyweight champion defended his title in a match that lasted twelve rounds.

    In context

    The heavyweight division remains the most commercially lucrative category in professional boxing, often drawing global audiences for title unification bouts.

    lightweightfeatherweight
  2. 02 C1 Advanced Informal

    n.a person who has a lot of power, influence, or importance in a specific area.

    n.an individual of great influence, importance, or intellectual ability within a particular field.

    Simple

    She is a political heavyweight who has served in the government for thirty years.

    In context

    The conference featured several intellectual heavyweights who debated the future of global economic policy for over three hours.

    nobodynonentity
  3. 03 B2 Upper Intermediate

    adj.having a lot of influence or being very serious and important.

    adj.possessing great power, influence, or significance; often used to describe companies, politicians, or serious topics.

    Simple

    The two heavyweight companies decided to join together to dominate the market.

    In context

    The prime minister faced heavyweight opposition from within his own party regarding the new environmental regulations.

  4. 04 B2 Upper Intermediate

    adj.made of thick or heavy material.

    adj.constructed from or consisting of material that is relatively heavy or dense.

    Simple

    You should wear a heavyweight coat if you are going out in the snow.

    In context

    The curtains were made of a heavyweight velvet designed to block out all external light and dampen street noise.

    thickheavy dutydense

Usage heavyweight boxing · heavyweight champion

Panettiere is survived by her daughter Kaya with her ex-partner, Ukrainian former world heavyweight champion boxer, Wladimir Klitschko.

BBC News· 17 Aug 2026

They were in Las Vegas to see a world heavyweight title boxing match between Mike Tyson and Bruce Seldon.

Al Jazeera· 17 Aug 2026

From heavy + weight.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Frequent
Updated