noun
heavyweight
HEH-vee-wayt
noun
1
The highest weight class in boxing and similar combat sports, or a competitor in that class.
"He became world heavyweight champion at just 24."
2
An important, influential person or organization in a particular field.
"She's a political heavyweight with decades of experience."
adj
1
Important, powerful, or impressive.
"The film brought together a heavyweight cast of actors."
How to Use Heavyweight
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe top boxing weight class — or, more generally, someone or something with major influence and importance.
Common pairings
heavyweight champion
political heavyweight
a heavyweight cast
Word Forms
heavyweights plural
Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.
Test yourself on “heavyweight”
A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage
→
Fill the Gap
Can you complete this real example?
He became world _____ champion at just 24.
Etymology
From "heavy" + "weight," originally describing the top weight division in boxing before it broadened to mean any dominant figure.