- the heavy, unrelieved weight of anything inert: The dead weight of the bear's body was over 300 pounds.
- a heavy or oppressive burden or responsibility.
- the weight of a railroad car, truck, etc., as distinct from its load or contents.
- a heavy weight or load
- an oppressive burden; encumbrance
- the difference between the loaded and the unloaded weights of a ship
- another name for dead load
- (in shipping) freight chargeable by weight rather than by bulk
