n.
One that is predominant, as in influence or power: "Especially when a candidate is a challenger, appearances with heavy hitters from the party lend an air of credibility" (Linda Feldmann).
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
