featherweight

noun feath·er·weight \ ˈfe-t͟hər-ˌwāt \

|Updated on: 28 May 2018

Definition of featherweight

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 2

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featherweight

adjective

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See featherweight defined for kids

Recent Examples of featherweight from the Web

Whether worn alone or layered with a full face of makeup, a featherweight and fast-absorbing formula that goes on smooth, free of a chalky residue, is vital.

— jenna rennert, Vogue, "10 New Sunscreens Worth Stocking Up On This Memorial Day Weekend," 22 May 2018
Velez, who fought to a draw in a 2014 featherweight title bout, has sought to bother Garcia by employing a rap friend to create a song about spoiling plans without De La Hoya being able to protect the handsome super featherweight.

— lance pugmire, latimes.com, "The Ryan Garcia attraction moves to StubHub Center's bigger stage," 3 May 2018
Junior featherweights: Magdaleno vs. Dogboe ESPN 8:30 p.m.

— BostonGlobe.com, "TV, radio schedule," 28 Apr. 2018
After the match, Lee's hands were featherweights as the crowd gave him a rousing ovation.

— rich torres, Indianapolis Star, "Brownburg's Brayton Lee ignites crowd with victory in Team Indiana vs. Team USA event," 14 Apr. 2018
The battle of top-10 featherweights was finalized Thursday, just four days after Stephens defeated Doo Ho Choi in a Fight Night main event in St. Louis.

— jay reddick, OrlandoSentinel.com, "UFC Orlando main event set: Josh Emmett vs. Jeremy Stephens," 19 Jan. 2018
The main event Josh Emmett and Jeremy Stephens may not have the star power of previous Amway Center main eventers like Rafael Dos Anjos or Fabricio Werdum, but both featherweights have a history of crowd-pleasing fights.

— jay reddick, OrlandoSentinel.com, "UFC returns to Orlando: Five things to watch," 24 Feb. 2018
Other San Antonio fighters scheduled to appear on the undercard include super flyweight Robert Rodriguez in his pro debut, along with super featherweights Joseph Rodriguez and Xavier Wilson in separate bouts.

— john whisler, San Antonio Express-News, "Barrios eyeing breakout performance on Freeman Coliseum card," 2 Mar. 2018
Stevenson, a 20-year-old southpaw featherweight from Newark, N.J., outlanded Mendoza 52-4, landing combinations and body shots at will before referee Sparkle Lee stopped it at 1:38 of the second.

— bob velin, USA TODAY, "Vasyl Lomachenko retains title as Guillermo Rigondeaux quits on his stool after 6th round," 9 Dec. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'featherweight.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of featherweight

1812

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

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FEATHERWEIGHT Defined for English Language Learners

featherweight

noun

Definition of featherweight for English Language Learners

: someone or something that weighs very little; especially : a boxer who weighs more than 118 pounds (53.5 kilograms) but less than 126 pounds (57 kilograms)