plural
weights
plural
weights
Britannica Dictionary definition of WEIGHT
1
[noncount]
a
:
a measurement that indicates how heavy a person or thing is
b
:
the amount that a person or thing weighs
:
the heaviness of a person or thing
-
The boat sank under the weight of the cargo.
-
The doctor says you shouldn't put any weight on that foot for a week. [=you shouldn't stand on that foot for a week]
-
Those columns have to be strong enough to support the weight of the roof.
-
I'm trying to lose (some) weight. [=to become less heavy or fat]
-
He is trying to watch his weight. [=to lose weight or to not gain weight]
-
I think she has gained weight. [=become heavier]
—
see also dead weight, overweight, underweight
2
[count]
a
:
a heavy object that is lifted during exercising
b
:
a heavy object that is used to press something down or to or hold something in place
—
see also counterweight, paperweight
3
[count]
:
a unit of measurement (such as a pound, kilogram, etc.) used for showing how heavy someone or something is
-
weights and measures
-
a metric weight
4
[singular]
a
:
something that causes worry or sadness
-
When I told her the truth I felt as if a weight had been lifted from my mind.
-
Well, that's a weight off my mind/shoulders. [=that's a relief]
b
:
a difficult responsibility
-
I wish there were some way I could help lift this weight [=load, burden] from his shoulders.
-
He bore the weight of having to tell the family the bad news.
5
[noncount]
a
:
the influence or power someone or something has over other people or things
-
He has a lot of weight in the company.
-
Several senators put/threw their weight behind the bill. [=used their influence to support the bill]
-
(disapproving) The new manager immediately started throwing her weight around, making changes to staff and policy.
b
:
the power to influence the opinions of other people
pull your own weight
:
to do the things that you should be doing as part of a group of people who are working together
worth your weight in gold
—
see 1gold
2
weight
/ˈweɪt/
verb
weights;
weighted;
weighting
weights;
weighted;
weighting
Britannica Dictionary definition of WEIGHT
[+ object]
:
to put a weight on (something) to make it heavier or to keep it from moving
—
often + down
—
sometimes used figuratively