welterweight

noun

wel·​ter·​weight ˈwel-tər-ˌwāt 

: a boxer in a weight division having a maximum limit of 147 pounds compare lightweight, middleweight

Examples of welterweight in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The headlining bout is a high-stakes welterweight matchup between former interim champion Colby Covington and rising 170-pounder Joaquin Buckley. —Trent Reinsmith, Forbes, 12 Dec. 2024

The winner of that welterweight tournament at worlds? —Zack Pierce, The Athletic, 9 Aug. 2024

Muhammad was set to make the first defense of his UFC welterweight championship against No. 3 Shavkhat Rakmonov. —Brian Mazique, Forbes, 2 Nov. 2024

The top of the UFC 310 card is a work in progress as the promotion is still seemingly looking for an opponent to replace welterweight champion Belal Muhammad, who is out with a bone infection in his toe. —Brian Mazique, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

welter "a heavyweight horseman or boxer" (of obscure origin) + weight entry 1

Note: Compare welter in Joseph Wright, English Dialect Dictionary: "anything large of its kind; a 'whopper'" (attestation mostly from west Midlands).

First Known Use

circa 1892, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

welterweight

noun

wel·​ter·​weight ˈwel-tər-ˌwāt 

: a boxer in a weight division having an upper limit of 147 pounds