weight
weight — noun
1. how heavy a person or object is, expressed in units such as kilograms, pounds, o
how heavy a person or object is, expressed in units such as kilograms, pounds, or stones.
Tomás checked the weight of his suitcase before the flight.
weight + of + noun phrase
The doctor told Élise to keep track of her weight every week.
keep track of + weight (possessive)
A newborn baby typically doubles its birth weight within five months.
birth weight — fixed compound noun
The bridge has a maximum weight limit of twenty metric tons.
weight limit — common compound
Sari was surprised by how much weight the little box actually had.
how much weight + had (colloquial)
- lose weight
- put on weight
- gain weight
- watch your weight
- excess weight
- healthy weight
- birth weight
- dead weight
- weight limit
- lightness
the quality of being light in weight
Grammar Patterns
weight + of + noun
verb + weight
Usage Note
Commonly pairs with verbs like 'lose', 'gain', 'put on', 'watch'. When referring to a specific measured amount, 'weight' is countable ('a weight of 5 kg'). For the general concept it is uncountable ('excess weight is bad for your health').
Common Mistakes
2. a block or disc made of metal that has a fixed heaviness and is used on a scale
a block or disc made of metal that has a fixed heaviness and is used on a scale to measure how heavy another object is, or as part of a system of standard measures.
Minho placed a one-kilogram weight on the left side of the scale.
a [measurement] weight — specifying size
The science teacher showed the class a box of brass weights for the balance scale.
brass weights — material + plural count
Rohan adjusted the small weights on the laboratory balance until the needle pointed to zero.
adjust + weights + on + balance scale
The jeweller used a set of tiny precision weights to measure the gold powder.
set of + precision weights — collocation
- set of weights
- brass weights
- precision weights
- standard weight
- metric weight
- counterweight
a weight that balances another weight, often in machinery
- standard weight
a weight officially approved for use in trade and measurement
Grammar Patterns
a weight + of + measurement
plural: weights
Usage Note
Countable noun. Often appears in 'a set of weights' (a collection of standard pieces ranging from small to large). Distinguished from sense 3 (GYM WEIGHTS) by its purpose — this sense is about measurement, not exercise.
3. a heavy object, especially a metal disc or bar, that people lift, push, or pull
a heavy object, especially a metal disc or bar, that people lift, push, or pull as a form of exercise to build muscle and strength.
Mira has been lifting weights at the gym every morning for six months.
lift weights — fixed fitness collocation
Baraka added more plates to the barbell until the weight felt challenging.
add + weight + to + barbell
The gym has a rack of dumbbells and a separate area for free weights.
free weights — standard fitness term
Selim injured his shoulder because he tried to lift a weight that was too heavy for him.
lift a weight + too heavy — cautionary pattern
Weight training three times a week helped Christopher improve his running speed.
weight training — common compound
- lift weights
- free weights
- weight training
- add weight
- heavy weight
- light weight
- work out with weights
- dumbbell
a short bar with weights at each end, held in one hand
- barbell
a long metal bar with weights at each end, lifted with both hands
- kettlebell
a round weight with a handle, used for swinging movements
Grammar Patterns
lift + weights
weights + for + exercise
Usage Note
Often appears in plural — 'weights' — when referring to the activity or equipment at a gym. 'Free weights' means dumbbells and barbells (not machines). 'Weight training' is the activity of exercising with weights.
Common Mistakes
4. the degree of importance, influence, or authority that a person, opinion, or pie
the degree of importance, influence, or authority that a person, opinion, or piece of information has in a particular situation.
Mei-Lin's opinion carries a lot of weight with the board of directors.
carry weight — figurative meaning 'be influential'
Liam threw his weight behind the proposal and convinced several colleagues to support it.
throw weight behind [sb/sth] — idiomatic phrase
The weight of scientific evidence strongly supports the link between smoking and lung cancer.
weight of evidence — fixed phrase
Ignacio complained that his manager did not give enough weight to the team's suggestions.
give weight to — collocation for 'value'
- carry weight
- throw weight behind
- weight of evidence
- give weight to
- lend weight to
- moral weight
- political weight
- influence
broader term; can refer to direct or indirect power to affect decisions
- authority
suggests official or recognised power rather than informal sway
- significance
focuses on importance rather than power to persuade
- clout
informal; means political or social influence, especially in business
- insignificance
lack of importance or influence
Grammar Patterns
carry + weight
weight + of + noun
throw + possessive + weight + around
Usage Note
Uncountable in this sense. Frequently appears in set phrases: 'carry weight' (be influential), 'throw one's weight behind' (actively support), 'the weight of evidence/opinion' (the overall force of). Rarely used with numbers or measurements.
Common Mistakes
5. a heavy emotional or mental load that causes worry, stress, or difficulty — for
a heavy emotional or mental load that causes worry, stress, or difficulty — for example, the pressure of a major responsibility or a painful secret.
The weight of caring for her elderly parents became too much for Defne to handle alone.
weight of + gerund phrase — burden sense
Telling his best friend the truth lifted a great weight off Tomás's shoulders.
lift a weight off [sb]'s shoulders — idiom for relief
The weight of expectation from her family made Élise feel anxious before the exam results came out.
weight of expectation — common emotional burden phrase
Minho finally shared the secret with a therapist and felt the weight disappear from his chest.
weight disappear — physical metaphor for emotional release
- weight of responsibility
- weight of expectation
- weight of guilt
- weight on your shoulders
- lift a weight
- a weight off your mind
- relief
the feeling of having a burden removed
Grammar Patterns
weight + of + noun
a weight + off + possessive + mind
Usage Note
Frequently followed by 'of' + a noun phrase specifying the source of pressure ('weight of responsibility', 'weight of guilt'). The phrase 'a weight off one's shoulders/mind' is a common idiom for relief. Can be countable when referring to a specific burden ('a weight he had carried for years').
To have influence or be important to someone.
Sara's opinion carries weight with the committee members.
Does your recommendation carry weight with the hiring manager?
To be heavily loaded or burdened by something.
The old bookshelf groaned under the weight of heavy encyclopedias.
The city's infrastructure groans under the weight of too many cars.
pull your weight
idiomTo do your fair share of the work.
Maya always pulls her weight during group projects.
If everyone pulls their weight, we will finish on time.
To achieve more than expected given your resources or status.
The small startup punches above its weight in innovation.
Diego punches above his weight in chess tournaments.
To sit down and rest, especially when tired.
After the long walk, Min took the weight off his feet.
Why don't you take the weight off your feet and have some tea?
To use your authority aggressively to get what you want.
The new manager likes to throw his weight around.
Aiden never throws his weight about, even as team leader.
To use your influence to support something.
The mayor threw her weight behind the new library project.
Many celebrities put their weight behind the charity campaign.
weight of numbers
idiomThe power or influence that comes from being part of a large group.
The protest succeeded by sheer weight of numbers.
Weight of numbers helped the team win the debate.
Extremely useful or valuable.
A reliable car is worth its weight in gold.
Sara's advice is worth its weight in gold.
weight — verb
1. to attach something heavy to an object or to put a heavy object on top of it, us
to attach something heavy to an object or to put a heavy object on top of it, usually so that it stays in place or does not move easily.
Rohan weighted the corner of the picnic blanket with a stone to stop the wind from blowing it away.
weight + noun + with [heavy object] — active
The curtains were weighted at the bottom so that they would hang straight.
passive: be weighted + prepositional phrase
Sari weighted the fishing net with lead strips along the bottom edge.
weight [net/rope] with [material] — specialised use
The scuba divers weighted their belts with extra pouches to stay underwater more easily.
weight [diving belt] — sports/activity context
- weight down
- weight with
- weighted net
- weighted curtain
- load
broader; can mean filling or adding anything, not necessarily heavy
- weight down
the phrasal verb form, emphasising immobilising with heaviness
- ballast
more technical; used for ships or vehicles to improve stability
- lighten
to remove weight or make something lighter
Grammar Patterns
weight + noun + down/with
be weighted + down/with + noun
Usage Note
Often used with the particle 'down' ('weight down') or 'with' ('weight with'). The passive form ('be weighted with/by') is very common. Do not confuse with 'weigh' (to measure heaviness); 'weight' means to add heaviness, not to measure it.
Common Mistakes
Word family
- weighverbB1
- weightyadjectiveC1
- weightlessadjectiveB2
- weightlessnessnounC1
- weightedadjectiveB2
- overweightadjectiveB1
- underweightadjectiveB2
Synonym discussion
Sense: noun/1
All four words relate to how heavy something is, but they differ in register and precision. 'Weight' is the most general and common term — you can use it in everyday conversation ('What's the weight of this bag?') and in formal contexts ('gross weight'). 'Heaviness' focuses on the subjective feeling of being heavy rather than a measured number ('I noticed the heaviness of the box as I picked it up') and is less common in technical writing. 'Mass' is a scientific term that refers to the amount of matter in an object, independent of gravity; an astronaut's mass stays the same on the Moon, but their weight changes. 'Poundage' is restricted to weight expressed in pounds and appears mainly in shipping, sports, and informal American English ('a boxer with high poundage'). In everyday use, 'weight' covers all these situations and is the safest choice for learners.
Common collocations
Etymology
The word 'weight' comes from Old English 'wiht', which meant 'something weighed' or 'a measure of heaviness'. It is related to the verb 'wegan' (to move or carry, and later to weigh on a scale). The same Germanic root gave rise to Dutch 'gewicht', German 'Gewicht', and Swedish 'vikt'. Over time, the literal sense of physical heaviness expanded to include figurative meanings such as importance (INFLUENCE sense) and emotional pressure (BURDEN sense), both recorded in English by the 1500s.