bantam

1 of 2

noun

ban·​tam ˈban-təm 

1

: any of numerous small domestic fowls that are often miniatures of members of the standard breeds

2

: a person of diminutive stature and often combative disposition

bantam

2 of 2

adjective

1

: small, diminutive

2

: pertly combative

Synonyms

Adjective

• diminutive
• dinky
• dwarfish
• fine
• half-pint
• Lilliputian
• little
• pint-size
• pint-sized
• pocket
• pocket-size
• pocket-sized
• puny
• pygmy
• shrimpy
• slight
• small
• smallish
• subnormal
• toylike
• undersized
• undersize

Examples of bantam in a Sentence

Adjective

a bantam comedian who is known to fellow performers for his oversize ego

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

In the years that followed, that little chick grew up to become a healthy adult bantam hen named Peanut. —Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 5 Sep. 2023

And the bantam hen is now earning recognition: Guinness World Records has named her the world’s oldest living chicken. —Cathy Free, Washington Post, 29 Aug. 2023

Adjective

Tipping the scales at a bantam weight of only 1.14 pounds, and less than a foot long, even the gram-conscious minimalists have to take notice. —Tim MacWelch, Outdoor Life, 9 Sep. 2019

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Bantam, former residency in Java

First Known Use

Noun

1740, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1881, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

bantam

noun

ban·​tam

ˈbant-əm

: any of numerous small domestic fowls that are often miniatures of members of the standard breeds

bantam adjective

Geographical Definition

Bantam

geographical name

Ban·​tam ˈban-təm 

former town of Indonesia in the northwestern corner of Java; once capital of the Sultanate of Bantam