weigh

verb \ ˈwā \

Updated on: 8 Dec 2017

Definition of weigh

transitive verb

1 : to ascertain the heaviness of by or as if by a balance

2 a : outweigh

b : counterbalance

c : to make heavy : weight —often used with down

3 : to consider carefully especially by balancing opposing factors or aspects in order to reach a choice or conclusion : evaluate

weighing her options

4 : to heave up (an anchor) preparatory to sailing

5 : to measure or apportion (a definite quantity) on or as if on a scales

intransitive verb

1 a : to have a certain heaviness : experience a specific force due to gravity

b : to register a weight (as on a scales) —used with in or out — compare weigh in

2 : to merit consideration as important : count

evidence will weigh heavily against him

3 a : to press down with or as if with a heavy weight

b : to have a saddening or disheartening effect

guilt weighed on my mind

4 : to weigh anchor

—

weighable

play \ˈwā-ə-bəl\ adjective

—

weigher

noun

See weigh defined for English-language learners

See weigh defined for kids

Examples of weigh in a Sentence

She weighs herself every morning.
He used a scale to weigh the bananas.
The bananas weigh more than the apples.
How much do you weigh?
You will need to weigh the pros and cons.
He took time to weigh his options.
Her previous experience weighs in her favor.

Recent Examples of weigh from the Web

On July 24, 2016, Abby and Erin Delaney were delivered prematurely by C-section, each weighing about two pounds, and doctors started putting together a plan to try to separate them, according to the hospital.

— lindsey bever, chicagotribune.com, "Conjoined twins survived one of the world's rarest surgeries. Now they're preparing to go home.," 24 Oct. 2017
FC Cincinnati's owners have weighed the risks vs. the rewards and are willing to plunk down $250 million.

— james pilcher, Cincinnati.com, "Major League Soccer: Ponzi scheme or smart investment for Cincinnati?," 4 Nov. 2017
Divided and conquered, Catalonia weighs the damage.

— lorcan roche kelly, Bloomberg.com, "Five Things You Need to Know to Start Your Day," 1 Nov. 2017
The biologists and technicians weigh, age and take antler measurement of the hunters' harvest, recording the data to use in monitoring the deer population and gauge the effects of hunting regulations and other management programs.

— shannon tompkins, Houston Chronicle, "Texas' deer hunting season looks inviting," 1 Nov. 2017
The Lamar High standout stands 6-4 and weighs 275 pounds.

— ben thomas, AL.com, "Top Alabama DT target Bobby Brown to make decision Friday," 26 Oct. 2017
To celebrate the anniversary show, this month the brand released two books featuring more than 2,000 photographs of the past 100 collections — together, the volumes weigh over 11 pounds.

— shannon barbour, The Cut, "Peek Inside Dries Van Noten’s Beautiful 11-Pound Book," 18 Oct. 2017
Wedding Bouquet: Princess Diana Princess Diana's cascading bouquet of gardenias, stephanotis, orchids, lily of the valley, roses, freesia, veronica, spider lilies, and ivy reportedly weighed two kilos (ahem, that's a whopping four pounds!).

— michelle darrisaw, Southern Living, "Every Royal Bride Has Carried a Sprig of This One Flower in Her Bouquet," 13 Oct. 2017
At 15 weeks of age, pups that had been delivered naturally weighed an average of 39 grams.

— The Economist, "Better childbirthMore evidence for a link between Caesarean sections and obesity," 11 Oct. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'weigh.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of weigh

Middle English weyen, from Old English wegan to move, carry, weigh — more at way

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

See Words from the same year

weigh Synonyms

Synonyms

count, import, mean, signify, matter

Related Words

affect, concern, influence, sway; add up (to), amount (to)

Near Antonyms

disregard, ignore, overlook, slight; dismiss, pooh-pooh (also pooh), reject

Synonym Discussion of weigh

consider, study, contemplate, weigh mean to think about in order to arrive at a judgment or decision. consider may suggest giving thought to in order to reach a suitable conclusion, opinion, or decision.

- refused even to consider my proposal

study implies sustained purposeful concentration and attention to details and minutiae.

- study the plan closely

contemplate stresses focusing one's thoughts on something but does not imply coming to a conclusion or decision.

- contemplate the consequences of refusing

weigh implies attempting to reach the truth or arrive at a decision by balancing conflicting claims or evidence.

- weigh the pros and cons of the case

weigh

noun

Definition of weigh

: way —used in the phrase under weigh

Recent Examples of weigh from the Web

Interested fighters can attend the weigh-ins held each Wednesday from 4:30-6 p.m. at the Pepper Mill and get a fight lined up.

— Alaska Dispatch News, "Another season of Thursday Night at the Fights begins," 26 Oct. 2017
Every one of the 19 Soldiers arrives at the Brimhall Junior High field promptly at 6:30 Saturday morning for the weigh-in

— ben baskin, SI.com, "Football in America: A Growth Sport in Arizona," 18 Oct. 2017
She was transported by ambulance to the I-94 weigh station and flown via helicopter to South Bend for treatment of her injuries.

— amy lavalley, Post-Tribune, "Michigan woman seriously injured in I-94 crash," 29 Sep. 2017
Weigh-ins can be done anytime during tournament with final weigh-in at end of tournament.

— luann gibbs, Cincinnati.com, "Free events this weekend: Get outside while you can," 14 Sep. 2017
As fun as all of these activities are, the pumpkin weigh-ins steal the show.

— ciscoe morris, The Seattle Times, "Don’t count your giant pumpkins until they’re harvested," 6 Sep. 2017
Finnair is looking for 2,000 passengers willing to submit to a pre-flight weigh-in.

— jamie ducharme, Fortune, "This Airline Wants to Weigh You Before You Board the Plane," 2 Nov. 2017
All three will be performing at the weigh-in before the fight.

— hannah karp, Billboard, "Floyd Mayweather Builds New Record Label Ahead of Fight," 25 Aug. 2017
To make weigh-in on Friday, Mayweather had to forgo the breakfast spread, sticking to just two bananas and water.

— sarah rense, Esquire, "Floyd Mayweather Prepared for His Historic Fight by Eating Pasta," 29 Aug. 2017

Origin and Etymology of weigh

alteration of way

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1777

See Words from the same year

WEIGH Defined for English Language Learners

weigh

verb

Definition of weigh for English Language Learners

: to find how heavy (someone or something) is : to measure the weight of (someone or something)
: to have a specified weight
: to think carefully about (something) in order to form an opinion or make a decision

WEIGH Defined for Kids

weigh

verb \ ˈwā \

Definition of weigh for Students

weighed; weighing

1 : to have weight or a specified weight

It weighs one pound.

2 : to find the weight of

Use a scale to weigh the apples.

3 : to think about as if weighing

He weighed their chances of winning.

4 : to lift an anchor before sailing

— weigh down

: to cause to bend down

Headscratcher for weigh

Weigh, way, and whey sound the same but have different spellings and meanings. To weigh is to measure how heavy something is. A way is a path or road. Whey is the part of milk separated from the curd that Little Miss Muffet liked to eat!