WEIGHT | English Meaning, Definition, and Pronunciation

Old English (ge)wiht, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch wicht and German Gewicht. The form of the word has been influenced by weigh

a body's relative mass or the quantity of matter contained by it, giving rise to a downward force; the heaviness of a person or thing

body's relative mass or quantity of matter contained by it, giving rise to downward force

• he was at least fifteen stone in weight
• she misjudged the weight of the book and dropped it
• mastiffs can reach a weight of 8st 2lb (52 kg)

a piece of metal known to weigh a definite amount and used on scales to determine how heavy an object or quantity of a substance is

piece of metal known to weigh definite amount and used on scales

• the herbalist spooned the powder on to scales with tiny brass weights

the ability of someone or something to influence decisions or actions

ability of person or thing to influence decisions or actions

• a recommendation by the committee will carry great weight

the surface density of cloth, used as a measure of its quality.

surface density of cloth, used as measure of its quality

hold (something) down by placing a heavy object on top of it

hold something down by placing heavy object on top of it

• a mug half filled with coffee weighted down a stack of papers

attribute importance or value to

attribute importance or value to

• speaking, reading, and writing should be weighted equally in the assessment

assign a handicap weight to (a horse).

assign handicap weight to

treat (a fabric) with a mineral to make it seem thicker and heavier.

treat fabric with mineral to make it seem thicker and heavier