English · Word Candidate

heavyweight

/ˈhɛ.vi.weɪt/

Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.

Also seen as: heavyweights

Sense 1

Meaning · English

A very large, heavy, or impressive person.

Noun

Examples

an intellectual heavyweight

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 2

Meaning · English

The professional boxing weight class for boxers weighing more than 190 pounds; a boxer in that division.

Noun

Examples

So Ukraine is on the ropes. Using that boxing metaphor, one immediately thinks of the new world heavyweight champion, the Ukrainian Oleksandr Usyk, who was seemingly down and out under the ferocious assault of the giant Tyson Fury, but then came back to win on points at the end of a brutal 12 rounds

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 3

Meaning · English

Of the heavyweight boxing (or similar) division.

Adjective

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 4

Meaning · English

Being relatively heavy.

Adjective

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

What does “heavyweight” mean?

A very large, heavy, or impressive person.

Is “heavyweight” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.