1 [mass noun] 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:he was at least fifteen stone in weight
Physics the force exerted on the mass of a body by a gravitational field.
the quality of being heavy:as he came upstairs the boards creaked under his weight
[count noun] a unit or system of units used for expressing how much an object or quantity of matter weighs:weights and measures
2a 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:the herbalist spooned the powder on to scales with tiny brass weights
a heavy object, especially one being lifted or carried:be careful when lifting a heavy weight
a heavy object used to give an impulse or act as a counterpoise in a mechanism.
a heavy object thrown by a shot-putter.
(weights) blocks or discs of metal or other heavy material used in weightlifting or weight training.
[mass noun] the amount that a jockey is expected or required to weigh, or the amount that a horse can easily carry.
3 [mass noun] the ability of someone or something to influence decisions or actions:a recommendation by the committee will carry great weight
the importance attributed to something:individuals differ in the weight they attach to various aspects of a job
Statistics a factor associated with one of a set of numerical quantities, used to represent its importance relative to the other members of the set.
4the surface density of cloth, used as a measure of its quality.
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Universal
1hold (something) down by placing a heavy object on top of it:a mug half filled with coffee weighted down a stack of papers
attach a heavy object to (something), especially so as to make it stay in place:the jugs were covered with muslin veils weighted with coloured beads
2attribute importance or value to:speaking, reading, and writing should be weighted equally in the assessment
(be weighted) be planned or arranged so as to put a specified person, group, or factor in a position of advantage or disadvantage:the balance of power is weighted in favour of the government
Statistics multiply the components of (an average) by factors to take account of their importance.
3assign a handicap weight to (a horse).
4treat (a fabric) with a mineral to make it seem thicker and heavier.
put on (or lose) weight
become fatter (or thinner):you shouldn’t be eating that burger—you’ve put on weight latelyshe had lost weight and her features seemed almost angular
throw one's weight about (or around)
informal be unpleasantly self-assertive:he didn’t swagger or throw his weight around
throw one's weight behind
informal use one’s influence to help support:the council is to throw its weight behind a campaign to save one of the borough’s best-loved beauty spots
the weight of the world
used in reference to a very heavy burden of worry or responsibility:he continues to carry the weight of the world on his shoulders
be a weight off one's mind
come as a great relief after one has been worried:there’s nothing seriously wrong with you—is that a weight off your mind?
be worth one's weight in gold
be extremely useful or helpful:someone who can understand and collate medical notes is worth their weight in gold
