ENGLISH
REFERENCE

heavyweight

n. countable
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˈhɛviˌweɪt// UK //hˈɛviwˌeɪt// heavy·weight

n. someone or something that has a lot of power, influence, or importance in a certain area. It also refers to a person who competes in the heaviest weight class in sports like boxing.

n. a person or thing of great importance, influence, or ability within a specific field; also, a competitor in the heaviest weight division of a sport. Often used metaphorically in business or political contexts.


SIMPLE

The company is a heavyweight in the tech industry.

CONTEXTUAL

As a political heavyweight, her endorsement is enough to change the course of the entire election.

COMPLEX

The merger of the two pharmaceutical heavyweights created a global entity with enough capital to dominate the research and development of new vaccines for decades.

Synonyms
Origin

From heavy + weight.

Usage

Often used as a modifier before another noun (e.g., 'heavyweight champion' or 'heavyweight politician').

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