middleweight

American

[mid-l-weyt] / ˈmɪd lˌweɪt /

noun

a boxer or other contestant intermediate in weight between a welterweight and a light heavyweight, especially a professional boxer weighing up to 160 pounds (72.5 kilograms).

adjective

Boxing. of or relating to middleweights.

the middleweight division.
(of a horse, especially a hunter) able to carry up to 185 pounds (83.9 kilograms).

middleweight British

/ ˈmɪdəlˌweɪt /

noun

1. a professional boxer weighing 154–160 pounds (70–72.5 kg)
2. an amateur boxer weighing 71–75 kg (157–165 pounds)
3. ( as modifier )
  
  a middleweight contest
a wrestler in a similar weight category (usually 172–192 pounds (78–87 kg))

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of middleweight

First recorded in 1870–75; middle + weight

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Both bouts against Eubank were at middleweight, but Benn intends to campaign at welterweight as he seeks to earn a world title shot.

From BBC

The streamer has recently increased its sports offerings, with a super middleweight clash between Terence Crawford and Saul "Canelo" Alvarez in Las Vegas last September viewed by 41 million people.

From Barron's

The Slough fighter drew with WBC middleweight champion Carlos Adames last February, in an underwhelming performance over 12 rounds.

From BBC

Given Eubank's ambitions at a higher weight division and Benn's long-term intentions to win titles two weight classes below middleweight, this could be a natural conclusion to their rivalry.

From BBC

On Saturday, this is a welterweight against a middleweight.

From BBC

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023