The lightsaber, sometimes referred to as a laser sword, is a weapon primarily used by Force-sensitive individuals in the Star Wars universe. Lightsabers consisted of a plasma blade, powered by a focusing crystal and usually emitted from a metallic hilt (thought other materials are sometimes used). Use in the weapon required considerable skill and training, and was greatly enhanced when used in conjunction with the Force. The lightsaber is generally associated with the Jedi and Sith factions, with many in the galaxy believing only Jedi used lightsabers at all (though there have been demonstrations of non-sensitives utilizing lightsaber's as well; usually, but not always, with considerably less skill).

Lightsaber blades can be of nearly any color, though blue and green blades are typical of the Jedi faction, while red is commonly associated with the Sith. Some Jedi base the color of their blade on their chosen path, with Guardians utilizing blue blades; Consulars wielding green blades; and the lesser-known and often unseen Sentinels using yellow-hued blades. Rarely seen in the Star Wars universe are violet-hued lightsaber blades (like the one wielded by Jedi Master Mace Windu); rarer still are black-colored lightsaber blades, which are sometimes referred to as darksabers.