weight

How heavy a person or thing is.

• What is your weight?
• The suitcase exceeds the weight limit.
• She gained weight during the winter.

Similar words: heaviness

Common phrases: lose weight, gain weight, body weight, weight limit

A heavy object used to hold things down or to lift during exercise.

• Put a weight on the papers.
• He lifts weights at the gym.
• These small weights help strengthen my arms.

Common phrases: lift a weight, heavy weight, weight training

The force that pulls an object downward because of gravity.

• Weight is measured in newtons.
• An object has less weight on the moon.
• Calculate the weight using mass and gravity.

Common phrases: weight force, weight on earth, calculate weight

A metal block of a known size used on scales to measure how heavy something is.

• Place a weight on the empty pan.
• The brass weights were stored beside the balance.
• We checked the scales with a standard weight.

Common phrases: brass weight, standard weight, calibration weight

To attach or add something heavy to an object.

• Weight the line with a small metal piece.
• They weighted the curtains to stop them moving.
• You can weight the bag with sand.

How to use it: weight something with something (Weight the net with small stones.); weight something down (Weight the cover down with bricks.)

Similar words: weigh down

Common phrases: weight something down, weight a line, weight with something

To arrange something so that one person, group, or result has an advantage.

• The rules are weighted against small businesses.
• They weighted the selection process in favor of experienced applicants.
• This system weights decisions toward the largest companies.

How to use it: weight something in favor of someone/something (The rules weight the contest in favor of larger teams.); weight something against someone/something (The costs weight the system against poorer applicants.)

Similar words: bias, slant

Common phrases: weight against someone, weight toward something, weight in favor