featherweight

American  

[feth-er-weyt] / ˈfɛð ərˌweɪt /

noun

1. a boxer or other contestant intermediate in weight between a bantamweight and a lightweight, especially a professional boxer weighing up to 126 pounds (57 kilograms).

2. an insignificant person or thing.

   He thinks he's a major composer, but he's just a featherweight.

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adjective

1. belonging to the class of featherweights, especially in boxing.

2. extremely light in weight.

   a featherweight quilt.

3. unimportant; trifling; slight.

featherweight British  

/ ˈfɛðəˌweɪt /

noun

1. 1. something very light or of little importance

   2. ( as modifier )

      featherweight considerations

2. 1. a professional boxer weighing 118–126 pounds (53.5–57 kg)

   2. an amateur boxer weighing 54–57 kg (119–126 pounds)

   3. ( as modifier )

      the featherweight challenger

3. a wrestler in a similar weight category (usually 126–139 pounds (57–63 kg))

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Etymology

Origin of featherweight

First recorded in 1805–15; feather + weight

Example Sentences

Nick Ball's reign as WBA featherweight world champion ended in dramatic fashion as the British boxer was stopped in the 12th round by Brandon Figueroa in front of stunned home fans in Liverpool.

From BBC

Considered the greatest UFC featherweight of all time, Volkanovski entered as a warm favourite, but was wary of the younger opponent standing five inches taller.

From Barron's

The movie, released in UK cinemas on 9 January, delves into how Hamed became a world featherweight champion by 21 and then the fallout with the Ireland-born coach later on.

From BBC

He ended up a featherweight on the mat.

From The Wall Street Journal

The card is headlined by a featherweight contest between Brazilian pair Diego Lopes and Jean Silva.

From BBC

Related Words

• agile
• airy
• buoyant
• delicate
• fluffy
• lightweight
• loose
• slender
• slight
• small
• thin