featherweight

noun

feath·​er·​weight ˈfe-t͟hər-ˌwāt How to pronounce featherweight (audio)
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.
Volkanovski’s 11-fight winning run between November 2016 and July 2022 is the second-longest UFC featherweight winning streak. Trent Reinsmith, Forbes.com, 19 June 2025 Prince Naseem Hamed, the multi-time world champion featherweight who graced boxing with his presence in the 1990s, wrote the book on showboating. Phil Hay, New York Times, 19 June 2025 Despite his fan-friendly style and resilience, Matthews became another example of how tough the UFC featherweight division can be on newcomers. Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 7 June 2025 The Switch 2 is a featherweight by comparison, weighing 0.88 pound (1.18 pounds with the controllers attached) and standing 4.5 inches tall, 10.7 inches wide, and 0.55 inch thick. PC Magazine, 5 June 2025 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

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Cite this Entry

“Featherweight.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/featherweight. Accessed 28 Jun. 2025.

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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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