plural lightweights
1
: one of less than average weight
specifically
: a boxer in a weight division having a maximum limit of 135 pounds for professionals and 132 pounds for amateurs compare featherweight, welterweight
2
: one of little consequence or ability
a political lightweight
3
: a person who becomes inebriated after consuming relatively small amounts of alcohol or drugs
Even at 6 foot 5 inches tall, Dean was a lightweight, and he sounded to be two drinks in, Johnson said.—
Kate Sosin
Kate Sosin1
: lacking in earnestness, ability, or profundity : inconsequential
a lightweight painter
a lightweight TV series
2
: having less than average weight
lightweight fabrics
3
: of, relating to, or characteristic of a lightweight
the lightweight championship
Examples of lightweight in a Sentence
Noun
The members of his staff were considered lightweights.
among astronomers she's considered a lightweight
Adjective
it's going to be hot, so wear mostly lightweight clothing
Recent Examples on the Web
Thomas Elias, Mercury News, 10 June 2025
Stay cool with clothing: Wear lightweight, loose-fitting clothing to stay comfortable.
—Southern California Weather Report, Oc Register, 3 June 2025
Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 3 June 2025
That level of energy return comes from the high stack of lightweight, responsive Lightstrike Pro foam in the shoe’s midsole.
—Sara Coughlin, SELF, 2 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for lightweight
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Noun
So the Harris image as a lightweight, promoted in part by her cackling responses in some interviews, can be misleading and other candidates for governor would be wise not to underestimate her.
—Thomas Elias, Mercury News, 10 June 2025
Stay cool with clothing: Wear lightweight, loose-fitting clothing to stay comfortable.
—Southern California Weather Report, Oc Register, 3 June 2025
Adjective
Leaders and employees must work together to build lightweight systems for sharing progress, challenges and ideas before misalignment snowballs.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 3 June 2025
That level of energy return comes from the high stack of lightweight, responsive Lightstrike Pro foam in the shoe’s midsole.
—Sara Coughlin, SELF, 2 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for lightweight
Cite this Entry
“Lightweight.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lightweight. Accessed 18 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
lightweight
1 of 2 noun
light·weight
ˈlīt-ˌwāt 
1
: one of less than average weight
especially
: a boxer in a weight division having an upper limit of about 135 pounds
2
: a person of little importance
lightweight
2 of 2 adjective
: having less than the usual or expected weight
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