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bantamweight

noun

ban·​tam·​weight ˈban-təm-ˌwāt How to pronounce bantamweight (audio)
: a boxer in a weight division having a maximum limit of 118 pounds for professionals and 119 pounds for amateurs compare featherweight, flyweight

Examples of bantamweight in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The prelim card will open with a bantamweight battle between undefeated Malcolm Wellmaker and Cody Haddon. Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Nov. 2025 Roufus coached several champion fighters, including former UFC lightweight champion Anthony Pettis, his brother and former Bellator bantamweight champion Sergio Pettis, and former UFC welterweight world champion Tyron Woodley. Cleo Krejci, jsonline.com, 18 Oct. 2025 Over his career, Inoue won and defended the WBO junior bantamweight title seven times before moving to bantamweight for nine bouts. Trent Reinsmith, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025 Naoya Inoue, who is one of the top pound-for-pound fighters and 30-0, is defending his super bantamweight title on Sunday in Japan, just hours after Álvarez and Crawford fight. Sarah Shephard, New York Times, 13 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for bantamweight

Word History

First Known Use

1884, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of bantamweight was in 1884

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Cite this Entry

“Bantamweight.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bantamweight. Accessed 1 Dec. 2025.

Kids Definition

bantamweight

noun
ban·​tam·​weight -ˌwāt How to pronounce bantamweight (audio)
: a boxer in a weight division having an upper limit of about 118 pounds

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