heavyweightnoun/ˈhɛ.vi.weɪt/

• 1

  A very large, heavy, or impressive person.

  • an intellectual heavyweight
  • When Time magazine named Ann Coulter among its 100 "most influential people" last week, alongside such heavyweights as Ariel Sharon, Bill Clinton, Nelson Mandela, Kim Jong Il and the Dalai Lama, the choice produced guffaws online.
• 2

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

  • 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.
• 3

  A similar division and contestant in other sports.

heavyweightadj/ˈhɛ.vi.weɪt/

• 1

  Of the heavyweight boxing (or similar) division.

• 2

  Being relatively heavy.

• 3

  Being a leader in one's field.

• 4

  Important or impressive.

  • The Olympics, the weather and a comparative lack of heavyweight clashes so far this season have been cited as reasons for the drop in viewers.
  • In recent years, much has been made of the lack of new heavyweight male star power in mainstream Hollywood. Talented performers may be everywhere, but Movie Stars, capital M, capital S, are something else.