strawweight: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low (C2)Technical/Sporting
Quick answer
What does “strawweight” mean?
The lightest weight division in professional boxing, sometimes used in other combat sports.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The lightest weight division in professional boxing, sometimes used in other combat sports.
A fighter who competes in the strawweight division; can metaphorically refer to something of minimal weight or significance.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning. The term is used identically in both boxing communities. Pronunciation may differ slightly.
Connotations
Connotes precision, speed, and technical skill in the boxing context. Outside of that, it can connote insignificance or being extremely lightweight.
Frequency
Equally low frequency in both varieties, confined almost exclusively to sports journalism and commentary.
Grammar
How to Use “strawweight” in a Sentence
[verb] the strawweight titlefight at strawweightcompete in the strawweight [division]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “strawweight” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The strawweight champion defended her belt successfully.
- He moved down to a strawweight category for the fight.
American English
- The strawweight champion defended her title successfully.
- He dropped to the strawweight class for the match.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Rarely used, only in sports science or history papers discussing boxing weight classes.
Everyday
Extremely rare. Would only be understood by followers of combat sports.
Technical
Standard term in boxing, MMA, and kickboxing to denote the specific weight class (typically 105 lbs / 47.627 kg).
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “strawweight”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “strawweight”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “strawweight”
- Spelling as 'straw weight' (two words) is common but the standard boxing term is a closed compound.
- Confusing it with 'flyweight', which is a heavier division.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
In professional boxing, the strawweight (or minimumweight) limit is 105 pounds (approximately 47.627 kilograms).
Yes, in professional boxing, 'strawweight' and 'minimumweight' are synonymous terms for the same weight class.
Yes, it functions attributively as an adjective (e.g., 'a strawweight fighter', 'the strawweight title'), but it is not used predictively (e.g., you wouldn't say 'The fighter is strawweight').
The etymology is not definitively recorded, but it likely employs 'straw' metaphorically to indicate the extreme lightness of the fighters, suggesting they are as light as a straw.
The lightest weight division in professional boxing, sometimes used in other combat sports.
Strawweight is usually technical/sporting in register.
Strawweight: in British English it is pronounced /ˈstrɔː.weɪt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈstrɑ.weɪt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a fighter so light they could be weighed using **straws** instead of weights.
Conceptual Metaphor
WEIGHT IS SIGNIFICANCE / LACK OF WEIGHT IS LACK OF SIGNIFICANCE.
Practice
Quiz
In which sport is the term 'strawweight' primarily used?