German word

Schwergewicht

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈʃveːɐ̯gəˌvɪçt/

Meaning

  • neuter nounkey figure

Example

Sie ist ein Schwergewicht in der Politik.

She is a key figure in politics.

Illustration for Schwergewicht (key figure)

More examples

Auf dem Gebiet der Forschung gilt sie als Schwergewicht.

In the field of research, she is considered a heavyweight.

Core concept

A heavy body at the center of a field, whose presence shifts the balance around it.

Common phrases

  • ein Schwergewicht in der Wissenschaft sein

    be a heavyweight in academia

  • das Schwergewicht einer Koalition sein

    be the heavyweight of a coalition

Similar words

Schlüsselfigur: A key person who helps determine important decisions and how events unfold.
Tonangeber: A person who determines the tone and direction of discussion or public opinion.
Machtfaktor: A force that significantly influences power relations within an organization or setting.
Führungskraft: A person in a senior role who gives instructions, makes decisions, and accepts responsibility.

Definition in German

Ein Individuum, eine Institution oder ein Sachverhalt mit solcher Bedeutung, dass es in einem Bereich als maßgeblicher Akteur angesehen wird.

Word origin

Schwergewicht is a compound of German schwer, meaning 'heavy', and Gewicht, meaning 'weight', extending physical heaviness to major influence.

Usage tips

  • The figurative sense often appears in political, economic, and public reporting and sounds more formal than everyday speech.

Other meanings

  • heavyweightnoun

Opposites

  • Leichtgewichtlightweightnoun

Related words

  • schwergewichtigweightyadjective

Word lists with this word