First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
1weight
noun \ˈwāt\
: a measurement that indicates how heavy a person or thing is
: the amount that a person or thing weighs : the heaviness of a person or thing
: a heavy object that is lifted during exercising
Full Definition of WEIGHT
1
2
a : a quantity or thing weighing a fixed and usually specified amount b : a heavy object (as a metal ball) thrown, put, or lifted as an athletic exercise or contest
3
a : a unit of weight or mass — see metric system table b : a piece of material (as metal) of known specified weight for use in weighing articles c : a system of related units of weight
4
a : something heavy : load b : a heavy object to hold or press something down or to counterbalance
5
a : burden, pressure <the weight of their responsibilities> b : the quality or state of being ponderous c : corpulence
6
a : relative heaviness : mass b : the force with which a body is attracted toward the earth or a celestial body by gravitation and which is equal to the product of the mass and the local gravitational acceleration
7
a : the relative importance or authority accorded something <the weight of her opinions> b : measurable influence especially on others <throwing his weight behind the proposal>
8
: overpowering force
9
: the quality (as lightness) that makes a fabric or garment suitable for a particular use or season —often used in combination <summer-weight>
10
: a numerical coefficient assigned to an item to express its relative importance in a frequency distribution
11
: the degree of thickness of the strokes of a type character
weight table
See weight defined for English-language learners
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Origin of WEIGHT
Middle English wight, weght, from Old English wiht; akin to Old Norse vætt weight, Old English wegan to weigh
Related to WEIGHT
- Synonyms
- avoirdupois, heaviness, heft
- Antonyms
- insignificance, littleness, puniness, slightness, smallness, triviality
Synonym Discussion of WEIGHT
importance, consequence, moment, weight, significance mean a quality or aspect having great worth or significance. importance implies a value judgment of the superior worth or influence of something or someone <a region with no cities of importance>. consequence generally implies importance because of probable or possible effects <the style you choose is of little consequence>. moment implies conspicuous or self-evident consequence <a decision of great moment>. weight implies a judgment of the immediate relative importance of something <the argument carried no weight with the judge>. significance implies a quality or character that should mark a thing as important but that is not self-evident and may or may not be recognized <the treaty's significance>.
influence, authority, prestige, weight, credit mean power exerted over the minds or behavior of others. influence may apply to a force exercised and received consciously or unconsciously <used her influence to get the bill passed>. authority implies the power of winning devotion or allegiance or of compelling acceptance and belief <his opinions lacked authority>. prestige implies the ascendancy given by conspicuous excellence or reputation for superiority <the prestige of the newspaper>. weight implies measurable or decisive influence in determining acts or choices <their wishes obviously carried much weight>. credit suggests influence that arises from the confidence of others <his credit with the press>.
influence, authority, prestige, weight, credit mean power exerted over the minds or behavior of others. influence may apply to a force exercised and received consciously or unconsciously <used her influence to get the bill passed>. authority implies the power of winning devotion or allegiance or of compelling acceptance and belief <his opinions lacked authority>. prestige implies the ascendancy given by conspicuous excellence or reputation for superiority <the prestige of the newspaper>. weight implies measurable or decisive influence in determining acts or choices <their wishes obviously carried much weight>. credit suggests influence that arises from the confidence of others <his credit with the press>.
2weight
verb
: to put a weight on (something) to make it heavier or to keep it from moving
Full Definition of WEIGHT
transitive verb
1
: to oppress with a burden <weighted down with cares>
2
a : to load or make heavy with or as if with a weight b : to increase in heaviness by adding an ingredient
4
: to assign a statistical weight to
5
: to cause to incline in a particular direction by manipulation <the tax structure … which was weighted so heavily in favor of the upper classes — A. S. Link>
6
: to shift the burden of weight upon <weight the inside ski>
See weight defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of WEIGHT
1647
WEIGHT Defined for Kids
1weight
noun \ˈwāt\
Definition of WEIGHT for Kids
1
: the amount that something weighs <Her weight is 115 pounds.>
2
: the force with which a body is pulled toward the earth
3
: a unit (as a pound) for measuring weight
4
: an object (as a piece of metal) of known weight for balancing a scale in weighing other objects
5
: a heavy object used to hold or press down something
6
: a heavy object lifted during exercise
7
: 1burden 2
8
: strong influence <The mayor threw his weight behind the proposal.>
2weight
verb
weight·edweight·ing
Definition of WEIGHT for Kids
1
: to load or make heavy with a weight <I weighted the fishing line so it would sink.>
2
: to trouble with a burden <He was weighted down with worry.>
Medical Dictionary
weight
noun \ˈwāt\
Medical Definition of WEIGHT
1
: the amount that a thing weighs
2
: a unit of weight or mass
Learn More About WEIGHT
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