Weight
/weɪt/
Definitions
3 meaningsA measurement of how heavy something is; the force of gravity on an object.
/weɪt/
The heaviness of something.
The doctor measured the baby's weight.
💡 Simply: It's how heavy something is, like when you step on a scale to see how heavy you are or the heavy feeling of a backpack.
👶 For kids: How heavy something is, like a big rock!
More Examples
The weight of the evidence suggests he is guilty.
She lifted weights at the gym to build muscle.
How It's Used
"The weight of the box made it difficult to carry."
"Weight is the force exerted on an object by gravity."
"She's trying to lose weight by exercising and dieting."
Importance, influence, or the effect of something.
/weɪt/
Importance or influence.
Her experience gave her words considerable weight.
💡 Simply: How important something is. Like, a teacher's words have weight because we respect what they say.
👶 For kids: How important something is, like when your mom says something.
More Examples
The judge gave great weight to the witness's testimony.
The evidence's lack of weight made the case weak.
How It's Used
"The senator's words carried considerable weight in the debate."
"His opinion carries a lot of weight in the company."
To burden or load with a heavy object or feeling; to influence or bias (something).
/weɪt/
To burden or load.
The old man's worries weighted him down.
💡 Simply: To make something feel heavy, like a problem or sadness weighing you down.
👶 For kids: To make something feel heavy, like a big bag weighing you down.
More Examples
The decision was weighted in her favor.
The sadness weighted the air.
How It's Used
"A heavy sorrow weighted her heart."
"The guilt weighted him down."
Synonyms
Burden
Load
Mass
Authority
Importance
Influence
Significance
Bias
Idioms & expressions
carry weight
To be important or influential.
"His opinion carries a lot of weight with the board of directors."
throw one's weight around
To use one's power or influence in a forceful and often unpleasant way.
"He started throwing his weight around after he got promoted."
pull one's weight
To do one's fair share of work or responsibility.
"Everyone has to pull their weight if we want to finish on time."
a weight off one's shoulders
A feeling of relief from a burden or worry.
"Getting the job done was a weight off my shoulders."
From Old English *weht*, *wiht* meaning 'something weighed, burden'. Related to the verb 'weigh'.
Used since the Old English period. Originally referring to the physical act of weighing.
Memory tip
Think of the 'weight' of a heavy object pressing down.