featherweight

noun

feath·​er·​weight ˈfe-t͟hər-ˌwāt How to pronounce featherweight (audio)
Synonyms of featherweightnext
1
: one that is very light in weight
especially : a boxer in a weight division having a maximum limit of 126 pounds for professionals and 125 pounds for amateurs compare bantamweight, lightweight
2
featherweight adjective

Examples of featherweight 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.
James Powel Brazilian featherweight Diego Lopes won the opening bout of the card by knockout in the second round. Zac Anderson, USA Today, 14 June 2026 After defending her World Boxing Organization and World Boxing Association featherweight titles with a unanimous decision over Reina Tellez in January, Serrano (49-4-1) defeated Cheyenne Hanson on May 30 in El Paso, Texas, tying the record for most knockouts (32) in the history of women’s boxing. Scott Allen, Time, 9 June 2026 McGregor, a former two-division UFC champion, is set to face ex-UFC featherweight titleholder Max Holloway in a rematch. Trent Reinsmith, Forbes.com, 29 May 2026 With a curb weight of 5,180 lbs (2,350 kg), this PHEV is no featherweight, but the twin-valve dampers do a good job of controlling the ride and hiding that mass. Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 28 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for featherweight

Word History

First Known Use

1812, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of featherweight was in 1812

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Featherweight.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/featherweight. Accessed 16 Jun. 2026.

Kids Definition

featherweight

noun
feath·​er·​weight -ˌwāt How to pronounce featherweight (audio)
1
: a very light weight
2
: one that weighs little
especially : a boxer in a weight division having an upper limit of about 126 pounds

More from Merriam-Webster on featherweight

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster