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
Alanna Martine Kilkeary, Glamour, 27 Jan. 2026
One is former lightweight champion Oscar De La Hoya, who forecasts that TKO, the parent company of UFC, will use UBOs to obtain too much control over boxing and, without sufficient competition, institute a pay system unfair to boxers.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 27 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for lightweight
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.
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
This pick gives a deep clean, feels lightweight during and after application, and doesn’t cause product buildup or greasiness.
—Alanna Martine Kilkeary, Glamour, 27 Jan. 2026
One is former lightweight champion Oscar De La Hoya, who forecasts that TKO, the parent company of UFC, will use UBOs to obtain too much control over boxing and, without sufficient competition, institute a pay system unfair to boxers.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 27 Jan. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
