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 The main event of the fight card features a matchup between longtime UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski and the undefeated Ilia Topuria. Trent Reinsmith, Forbes, 15 Feb. 2024 The night is indeed marvelous in its featherweight, finger-popping fashion. Charlotte Observer, 30 Jan. 2024 David Picasso, a rising featherweight from Mexico City, scored a unanimous decision over Erik Ruiz, though Ruiz took the undefeated Picasso (27-0-1) the distance. José M. Romero, The Arizona Republic, 28 Jan. 2024 Joy is a 4-year-old featherweight, but Destaney, at 6, kicks so much that Ms. Jones binds her in a mermaid blanket. Jason Deparle, New York Times, 11 Dec. 2023 McGregor entered the octagon that night as the UFC featherweight champion. Trent Reinsmith, Forbes, 13 Nov. 2023 Take the rise of Peso Pluma — a moniker that translates to featherweight. María Luisa Paúl, Washington Post, 17 Nov. 2023 Still, with a curb weight of just over 2,700 pounds, the Italia was a featherweight compared to other Detroit iron. Robert Ross, Robb Report, 18 Sep. 2023 Zuckerberg, who is trained in the grappling combat discipline of Jiu-jitsu, also employed the training services of elite fighting talent in July—made evident by gym photos taken with UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya and UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski on July 11. Antonio Pequeño Iv, Forbes, 13 Aug. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'featherweight.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1812, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of featherweight was in 1812

Dictionary Entries Near featherweight

Cite this Entry

“Featherweight.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/featherweight. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

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

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