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Definition of weight noun from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

weight

noun
 OPAL W
 
/weɪt/
 
/weɪt/
Idioms
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    being heavy

  1.  
     [uncountable, countable] how heavy somebody/something is, which can be measured in, for example, kilograms or pounds
    • in weight It is about 76 kilos in weight.
    • by weight Bananas are sold by weight.
    • weight of… In the wild, this fish can reach a weight of 5lbs.
    • She is trying to lose weight (= become less heavy and less fat).
    • He’s put on/gained weight (= become heavier and fatter) since he gave up smoking.
    • No more for me. I have to watch my weight.
    • He has now shed the extra weight.
    • Body fat increases rapidly as body weight increases.
    • The point is to achieve permanent weight loss.
    • Stress can cause weight gain.
    • Sam has a weight problem (= is too fat).
    Homophones wait | weightwait   weight
     
    /weɪt/
     
    /weɪt/
    • wait verb
      • You won't have to wait long—the next train is in five minutes.
    • wait noun
      • It was an anxious wait, but finally she found out that she'd passed.
    • weight noun
      • He has lost a lot of weight.
    • weight verb
      • Weight the tablecloth down so that it doesn't move or blow away.
    Collocations Diet and exerciseDiet and exerciseWeight
    • put on/​gain/​lose weight/​a few kilos/​a few pounds
    • watch/​control/​struggle with your weight
    • be/​become seriously overweight/​underweight
    • be/​become clinically/​morbidly obese
    • achieve/​facilitate/​promote/​stimulate weight loss
    • slim down to 70 kilos/(British English) 11 stone/(especially North American English) 160 pounds
    • combat/​prevent/​tackle/​treat obesity
    • develop/​have/​suffer from/​struggle with/​recover from anorexia/​bulimia/​an eating disorder
    • be on/​go on/​follow a crash/​strict diet
    • have/​suffer from a negative/​poor body image
    • have/​develop a positive/​healthy body image
    Healthy eating
    • eat a balanced diet/​healthily/​sensibly
    • get/​provide/​receive adequate/​proper nutrition
    • contain/​get/​provide essential nutrients/​vitamins/​minerals
    • be high/​low in calories/​fat/​fibre/​protein/​vitamin D/​Omega-3 fatty acids
    • contain (no)/use/​be full of/​be free from additives/​chemical preservatives/​artificial sweeteners
    • avoid/​cut down on/​cut out alcohol/​caffeine/​fatty foods
    • stop/​give up/ (especially North American English) quit smoking
    Exercise
    • (British English) take regular exercise
    • do moderate/​strenuous/​vigorous exercise
    • play football/​hockey/​tennis
    • go cycling/​jogging/​running
    • go to/​visit/ (especially North American English) hit/​work out at the gym
    • strengthen/​tone/​train your stomach muscles
    • contract/​relax/​stretch/​use/​work your lower-body muscles
    • build (up)/gain muscle
    • improve/​increase your stamina/​energy levels/​physical fitness
    • burn/​consume/​expend calories
    Staying healthy
    • be/​get/​keep/​stay healthy/​in shape/(especially British English) fit
    • lower your cholesterol/​blood pressure
    • boost/​stimulate/​strengthen your immune system
    • prevent/​reduce the risk of heart disease/​high blood pressure/​diabetes/​osteoporosis
    • reduce/​relieve/​manage/​combat stress
    • enhance/​promote relaxation/​physical and mental well-being
    see also birthweight, overweight, underweight
    Extra Examples
    • I should soon be down to my target weight of 70 kilos.
    • I won't have any cake—I have to watch my weight.
    • People's body weight can fluctuate during the day.
    Topics Maths and measurementa2, Health and Fitnessa2, Appearancea2
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
    • low
    • ideal
    • right
    • …
    verb + weight
    • watch
    • gain
    • put on
    • …
    weight + verb
    • go up
    • increase
    • come off
    • …
    weight + noun
    • gain
    • loss
    • control
    • …
    See full entry
  2.  
     [uncountable] the fact of being heavy
    • weight of somebody/something The pillars have to support the weight of the roof.
    • I just hoped the branch would take my weight.
    • under the weight He staggered a little under the weight of his backpack.
    • The table collapsed under their weight.
    • Don't put any weight on that ankle for at least a week.
    see also dead weight
    Extra Examples
    • I was worried that the branch wouldn't take my weight.
    • Many buildings collapsed under the weight of rain-soaked ash and mud.
    • She tried to be quiet, but the stairs creaked under her weight.
    • The arch bears the weight of the bridge above.
    • The boy was staggering beneath the weight of a pile of boxes.
    • She misjudged the weight of the book.
    • He nervously shifted his weight from foot to foot.
    • He threw his weight at the door and it burst open.
    • Stand with your legs apart and your weight evenly distributed.
    • The doctor told me not to put my weight on this ankle for a month.
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
    • considerable
    • enormous
    • great
    • …
    verb + weight
    • bear
    • carry
    • support
    • …
    preposition
    • in weight
    • beneath the weight
    • under the weight
    • …
    See full entry
    3.

    heavy object

  3.  
     [countable] an object that is heavy
    • The doctor said he should not lift heavy weights.
    • Heavy weights should be lifted with a straight back.
    • Consider adding weight training and aerobic exercises to your routine.
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
    • heavy
    • dead
    • leaden
    • …
    verb + weight
    • lift
    See full entry
  4. [countable] an object used to keep something in position or as part of a machine
    • weights on a fishing line
    see also paperweight

    5. responsibility/worry

  5. [singular] weight (of something) a great responsibility or worry synonym burden
    • The full weight of responsibility falls on her.
    • The news was certainly a weight off my mind (= I did not have to worry about it any more).
    • Finally telling the truth was a great weight off my shoulders.
    • He was buckling under the weight of his responsibilities.
    6.

    influence/strength

  6. [uncountable] importance, influence or strength
    • The many letters of support added weight to the campaign.
    • The President has now offered to lend his weight to the project.
    • Your opinion carries weight with the boss.
    • How can you ignore the sheer weight of medical opinion?
    • The weight of evidence against her is overwhelming.
    Extra Examples
    • They attach too much weight to academic achievement.
    • The new evidence added considerable weight to the prosecution's case.
    • Sir Leon lent his weight to the Tory campaign yesterday.
    • America's economic weight
    • Environmental considerations were given due weight in making the decision.
    • Her opinion seemed to carry little weight in the company.
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
    • due
    • full
    • sufficient
    • …
    verb + weight
    • attach
    • give
    • place
    • …
    phrases
    • put your weight behind something
    • throw your weight behind something
    • weight of numbers
    • …
    See full entry
    7.

    for measuring/lifting

  7. [countable, uncountable] a unit or system of units by which weight is measured
    • tables of weights and measures
    • imperial/metric weight
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
    • low
    • ideal
    • right
    • …
    verb + weight
    • watch
    • gain
    • put on
    • …
    weight + verb
    • go up
    • increase
    • come off
    • …
    weight + noun
    • gain
    • loss
    • control
    • …
    See full entry
  8. [countable] a piece of metal that is known to weigh a particular amount and is used to measure the weight of something, or lifted by people to improve their strength and as a sport
    • a set of weights
    • a light/heavy weight
    • She lifts weights as part of her training.
    • He does a lot of weight training.
    Topics Maths and measurementa2, Health and Fitnessa2
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
    • heavy
    • large
    • light
    • …
    verb + weight
    • lift
    weight + noun
    • lifting
    • training
    • room
    • …
    phrases
    • weights and measures
    See full entry
    More Like This Silent lettersSilent letters
    9. Word OriginOld English (ge)wiht, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch wicht and German Gewicht. The form of the word has been influenced by weigh.
Idioms
carry weight (with somebody)
  1. to have influence with somebody
    • My views don't carry much weight with the boss.
groan under the weight of something
  1. (formal) used to say that there is too much of something
    • The table groaned under the weight of the biggest buffet they had ever seen.
pull your weight
  1. to work as hard as everyone else in a job, an activity, etc.
punch above your weight
  1. to be or try to be more successful than others in doing something that normally requires more skill, experience, money, etc. than you have
    • This player seems to be able to constantly punch above her weight.
    • He punched above his weight as the party’s foreign affairs spokesman.
    Topics Successc2
take the weight off your feet
  1. (informal) to sit down and rest, especially when you are tired
    • Come and sit down and take the weight off your feet for a while.
throw your weight about/around
  1. (informal) to use your position of authority or power in an aggressive way in order to achieve what you want
    • She was a good manager, who didn’t find it necessary to throw her weight around.
    Topics Successc2
throw/put your weight behind something
  1. to use all your influence and power to support something
    • The government has thrown its weight behind the anti-pollution campaign.
weight of numbers
  1. the combined power, strength or influence of a group
    • They won the argument by sheer weight of numbers.
worth your/its weight in gold
  1. very useful or valuable
    • A good mechanic is worth his weight in gold.
See weight in the Oxford Advanced American DictionarySee weight in the Oxford Learner's Dictionary of Academic English
Check pronunciation: weight

Nearby words

given
adjective
 
 
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OPAL spoken words
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