English Dictionary

Definition of “weight

weight (weɪtPronunciation for weight

Definitions

noun

  1. a measure of the heaviness of an object; the amount anything weighs
  2. physics the vertical force experienced by a mass as a result of gravitation. It equals the mass of the body multiplied by the acceleration of free fall. Its units are units of force (such as newtons or poundals) but is often given as a mass unit (kilogram or pound) W
  3. a system of units used to express the weight of a substance  ⇒ troy weight 
  4. a unit used to measure weight  ⇒ the kilogram is the weight used in the metric system 
  5. any mass or heavy object used to exert pressure or weigh down
  6. an oppressive force  ⇒ the weight of cares 
  7. any heavy load  ⇒ the bag was such a weight 
  8. the main or greatest force: preponderance  ⇒ the weight of evidence 
  9. importance, influence, or consequence  ⇒ his opinion carries weight 
  10. statistics one of a set of coefficients assigned to items of a frequency distribution that are analysed in order to represent the relative importance of the different items
  11. printing the apparent blackness of a printed typeface
  12. slang a pound of a drug, esp cannabis
  13. See pull one's weight
  14. See throw one's weight around

verb (tr)

  1. to add weight to
  2. to burden or oppress
  3. to add importance, value, etc, to one side rather than another; bias; favour  ⇒ a law weighted towards landlords 
  4. statistics to attach a weight or weights to
  5. to make (fabric, threads, etc) heavier by treating with mineral substances, etc

Alternative Forms

ˈweighter noun

Word Origin

Old English wiht;  related to Old Frisian, Middle Dutch wicht,  Old Norse vētt,  German Gewicht

Translations

  • British English: weight Pronunciation for weight The weight of a person or thing is how heavy they are, measured in units such as kilos or pounds.What is your height and weight?weɪt NOUN What is your height and weight?
  • Spanish: peso Pronunciation for peso nm
  • French: poids Pronunciation for poids nm
  • German: Gewicht Pronunciation for Gewicht nnt
  • Chinese: 重量Pronunciation for 重量 n
  • Arabic: وَزْنPronunciation for وَزْن n
  • Portuguese: pesoPronunciation for peso nm
  • Russian: весPronunciation for вес nm
  • Croatian: težinaPronunciation for težina nf
  • Czech: hmotnostPronunciation for hmotnost nf
  • Danish: vægtPronunciation for vægt nutr
  • Dutch: gewichtPronunciation for gewicht nnt
  • Finnish: painoPronunciation for paino n
  • Greek: βάροςPronunciation for βάρος nnt
  • Italian: pesoPronunciation for peso nm
  • Japanese: 重さPronunciation for 重さ n
  • Korean: 무게Pronunciation for 무게 n
  • Norwegian: vektPronunciation for vekt nm
  • Polish: wagaPronunciation for waga nf
  • Brazilian Portuguese: pesoPronunciation for peso nm
  • European Spanish: peso Pronunciation for peso nm
  • Swedish: viktPronunciation for vikt nutr
  • Thai: น้ำหนักPronunciation for น้ำหนัก n
  • Turkish: ağırlıkPronunciation for ağırlık n
  • Vietnamese: trọng lượngPronunciation for trọng lượng n

Usage examples

  • I lay on my back with a weight on my chest which proved to be my hand.
    Robert Wilson, INSTRUMENTS OF DARKNESS (2002)
  • He seems to be in fairly good condition but does need a bit of weight put on him.
    Country Life (2005)
  • He goes on any ground but I would not be surprised if a horse with less weight wins," he said.
    Irish Times (2002)
  • In this huge figure, Scottish clubs punch more than their weight in terms of participation.
    Glasgow Herald (2001)
  • Under the simple questions, there often seemed a strong sense of dissatisfaction which boiled down to one thing: weight.
    Sally Gunnell, Kathryn Leigh, BE YOUR BEST: How Anyone can become Fit, Healthy and Confident (2002)

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