featherweight

noun

feath·​er·​weight ˈfe-t͟hər-ˌwāt 

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

: lightweight sense 2

featherweight adjective

Examples of featherweight in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

His first two title defenses were a decision win and knockout of then-UFC featherweight champ Alexander Volkanovski. —Trent Reinsmith, Forbes, 15 Jan. 2025

After a months-long tense situation between the PFL and Patricio Pitbull, the Bellator featherweight champion has been granted an unconditional release from the organization. —Michael Gfoeller and David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 15 Jan. 2025

The punches were delivered with the force of a featherweight and a couple bantams. —Tim Graham, The Athletic, 7 Jan. 2025

Jackson has competed a lot at featherweight, though his loss to Miller came at lightweight. —Brian Mazique, Forbes, 31 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1812, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

featherweight

noun

feath·​er·​weight -ˌwāt 

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