Light cruiser
A light cruiser was a type of cruiser utilized by Starfleet, capable of sustained independent operation like other cruiser types, but more lightly-armed and not necessarily intended for front-line combat. 

The 24th century starship  was an example of a light cruiser. ()

Appendices

Background information 
According to the Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Technical Manual, the  was classified as a light cruiser, as was the .

During the Dominion War the  was a light cruiser variant built from an Intrepid-class primary hull. 

Another type of light cruiser used in the Dominion War was a variant of the  of starship, a saucer with two warp nacelles.

External links

de:Leichter Kreuzer
ja:軽巡洋艦
nl:Lichte kruiser
Spacecraft classifications