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
Newsweek Staff, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Nov. 2025
The health department recommends that residents limit their time outside and wear several layers of lightweight, insulated clothing during cold weather and be sure to cover toes, fingers, cheeks and the tip of your nose.
—Jt Moodee Lockman, CBS News, 21 Nov. 2025
Trent Reinsmith, Forbes.com, 22 Nov. 2025
According to reports, the new drone can carry lightweight anti-submarine torpedoes.
—Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 22 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lightweight
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Noun
Trump is a TikTok lightweight by comparison, but an absolute powerhouse across other platforms, generating 2 billion impressions on X and adding more than 80 million followers on his Facebook page in the first 100 days of this term.
—Newsweek Staff, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Nov. 2025
The health department recommends that residents limit their time outside and wear several layers of lightweight, insulated clothing during cold weather and be sure to cover toes, fingers, cheeks and the tip of your nose.
—Jt Moodee Lockman, CBS News, 21 Nov. 2025
Adjective
He was booked to face Islam Makhachev at UFC 311 in a fight for Makhachev’s lightweight belt, but Tsarukyan pulled out of the contest before weigh-ins.
—Trent Reinsmith, Forbes.com, 22 Nov. 2025
According to reports, the new drone can carry lightweight anti-submarine torpedoes.
—Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 22 Nov. 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 23 Nov. 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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