featherweight

noun

feath·​er·​weight ˈfe-t͟hər-ˌwāt 

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

: lightweight sense 2

featherweight adjective

Examples of featherweight in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The same reason why Mike Tyson was not allowed to fight against featherweights. — Tony Jones, New York Times, 18 May 2026

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

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

Just a year after the company's first foray into motocross bikes, Ducati has unveiled the Desmo250 MX, a fire-breathing featherweight built to dominate tracks with possibly the highest revving engine in its class. — Abhimanyu Ghoshal, New Atlas, 26 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1812, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for featherweight

• abdicate
• abrogate
• acetate
• activate
• actuate
• aggravate
• agitate
• alginate
• alienate
• allocate
• amputate
• angulate

Kids Definition

featherweight

noun

feath·​er·​weight -ˌwāt 

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