1 B2 neutral
To place a heavy object on top of something to prevent it from moving, floating, or blowing away.
"They weighted down the corners of the tarpaulin with large rocks to stop it from blowing off in the storm."
separable
weight down
B2 neutral separable transitive
To hold something in place or cause it to sink by placing a heavy object on it.
In plain English
To put something heavy on top of something else so it doesn't move or float away.
What does "weight down" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B2 neutral
To cause something to sink in water by attaching something heavy to it.
"The fishermen weighted down their nets so they would hang vertically in the water."
separable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To apply weight downward onto an object to prevent it from moving.
Actually means
To put something heavy on top of something else so it doesn't move or float away.
Usage tip
Primarily used in physical, practical contexts. Often used when preventing paper from blowing away, keeping fishing nets submerged, or keeping coverings in place. Less commonly used figuratively than 'weigh down.'
Words that pair with "weight down"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
net tarpaulin paper tent fishing line cover
How to conjugate "weight down"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
weight down
I/you/we/they
3rd person
weights down
he/she/it
Past simple
weighted down
yesterday
Past participle
weighted down
have + pp
-ing form
weighting down
continuous
Hear "weight down" in the wild
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Keep exploring
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