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
Trent Reinsmith, Forbes.com, 26 Jan. 2026
Haruharu Wonder’s Black Rice Facial Oil does exactly that with its lightweight, yet antioxidant-rich, rice bran oil, sunflower seed oil, and tocopherol (vitamin E), which support skin elasticity and guard against environmental stressors.
—Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 23 Jan. 2026
Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 3 Feb. 2026
The vegan formula tubes, lengthens, and volumizes by coating each lash in lightweight fibers and film-forming polymers for striking definition.
—Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 3 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for lightweight
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Noun
The featherweight title was left vacant ahead of UFC 314 when Topuria moved up to lightweight, winning that belt at UFC 317 with a knockout victory over Charles Oliveira.
—Trent Reinsmith, Forbes.com, 26 Jan. 2026
Haruharu Wonder’s Black Rice Facial Oil does exactly that with its lightweight, yet antioxidant-rich, rice bran oil, sunflower seed oil, and tocopherol (vitamin E), which support skin elasticity and guard against environmental stressors.
—Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 23 Jan. 2026
Adjective
Layer Zero’s six-piece launch collection will feature lightweight, flexible shapewear made from a blend of microfiber nylon and spandex offering four-way stretch, moisture wicking and frictionless bonded seams.
—Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 3 Feb. 2026
The vegan formula tubes, lengthens, and volumizes by coating each lash in lightweight fibers and film-forming polymers for striking definition.
—Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 3 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for lightweight
Cite this Entry
“Lightweight.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lightweight. Accessed 4 Feb. 2026.
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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