weigh

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verb

ˈwā

weighed; weighing; weighs

transitive verb

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

: outweigh

: counterbalance

: to make heavy : weight

—often used with down

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

weighing her options

: to heave up (an anchor) preparatory to sailing

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

intransitive verb

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

: to register a weight (as on a scales)

—used with in or out compare weigh in

: to merit consideration as important : count

evidence will weigh heavily against him

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

: to have a saddening or disheartening effect

guilt weighed on my mind

: to weigh anchor

weighable

ˈwā-ə-bəl

adjective

weigher noun

weigh

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noun

: way

—used in the phrase under weigh

Choose the Right Synonym for 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

Example Sentences

Verb 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. See More

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

For now, the Cherokee are not harvesting the animals, whose bulls can weigh up to 2,000 pounds (900 kilograms) and stand 6 feet tall (nearly 2 meters), as leaders focus on growing the herd.

Bobby Ross Jr., The Arizona Republic, 24 Nov. 2022 The coins, which are believed to date back to roughly 100 years before the birth of Jesus, look like little buttons and, together with a chunk of gold that was apparently the source of the coins, weigh nearly nine pounds.

Christopher F. Schuetze, New York Times, 23 Nov. 2022 Residents and visitors are encouraged to call a hotline when one of the bears—which can weigh over 1,000 pounds and stand 10 feet tall on their hind legs—is close to town.

Angela Owens, WSJ, 23 Nov. 2022 Possibly the largest glass spheres ever blown by hand, some works in this series measure 40 inches in diameter and weigh up to 80 pounds.

Samantha Baskind, Smithsonian Magazine, 23 Nov. 2022 For now, the Cherokee are not harvesting the animals, whose bulls can weigh up to 2,000 pounds, as leaders focus on growing the herd.

Bobby Ross Jr., BostonGlobe.com, 22 Nov. 2022 The two turkeys, which weigh about 45 pounds each, are good friends — where one goes the other follows, Fields said.

Sarah Bowman, The Indianapolis Star, 22 Nov. 2022 Pigs ready for slaughter are 175 days old and weigh about 265 pounds.

Laura Reiley, Washington Post, 21 Nov. 2022 The birds, which weigh 46 and 47 pounds, were raised by National Turkey Federation chairman Ronnie Parker near Monroe, North Carolina.

Molly Nagle, ABC News, 21 Nov. 2022 See More

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.