1
: any of numerous small domestic fowls that are often miniatures of members of the standard breeds
2
: a person of diminutive stature and often combative disposition
1
: small, diminutive
2
: pertly combative
Synonyms
Examples of bantam in a Sentence
Adjective
a bantam comedian who is known to fellow performers for his oversize ego
Recent Examples on the Web
Charna Flam, Peoplemag, 13 Sep. 2024
In the years that followed, that little chick grew up to become a healthy adult bantam hen named Peanut.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 5 Sep. 2023
Tim MacWelch, Outdoor Life, 9 Sep. 2019
See all Example Sentences for bantam 
Noun
He was drafted third overall in the 1995 WHL bantam draft, per Hockey Draft Central.
—Charna Flam, Peoplemag, 13 Sep. 2024
In the years that followed, that little chick grew up to become a healthy adult bantam hen named Peanut.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 5 Sep. 2023
Adjective
Tipping the scales at a bantam weight of only 1.14 pounds, and less than a foot long, even the gram-conscious minimalists have to take notice.
—Tim MacWelch, Outdoor Life, 9 Sep. 2019
See all Example Sentences for bantam
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'bantam.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Bantam.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bantam. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationGeographical Definition
Bantam
geographical name
Ban·tam
ˈban-təm 
former town of Indonesia in the northwestern corner of Java; once capital of the Sultanate of Bantam
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