ENGLISH
REFERENCE

heavyweight

n. · adj.
US //ˈhɛviˌweɪt// UK //hˈɛviwˌeɪt// heavy·weight
  1. 1 combat sports (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Sport

    a boxer or fighter in the heaviest weight class.

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

    Example

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

    Example

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

  2. 2 an influential person (n.)
    C1 Advanced Informal

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

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

    Example

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

    Example

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

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  1. 3 important or powerful (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

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

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

    Example

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

    Example

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

  2. 4 physically heavy (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    made of thick or heavy material.

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

    Example

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

    Example

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

Origin

From heavy + weight.

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