as in pad
an area from which a rocket is launched
—often used figuratively
The TV cameras were focused on the launchpad as the time for liftoff approached. The program she hosted on local radio was the launchpad for her network career.
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Recent Examples of launchpad
The partnership serves as a launchpad for creativity, exploration and cultural connection for Andaz Hotels and Hebru Brantley, merging art and hospitality for a unique travel experience.
—
Julia Teti, WWD, 27 Feb. 2025
The launch will also include the return and catch of the Super Heavy booster that will blast the rocket off the launchpad.
—Greg Wehner, Fox News, 26 Feb. 2025
The lineup is filled with major premieres, from headliners starring A-list talent to indies that could serve as launchpads for the next wave of exciting voices.
—Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 25 Feb. 2025
The Strip, used as a launchpad for attacks against Israel and a breeding ground for radicalization, has become a symbol of failure - not just for Hamas, but for the Palestinian leadership that has failed to reform its own society.
—Kristan Hawkins, Newsweek, 6 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for launchpad
Julia Teti, WWD, 27 Feb. 2025
The launch will also include the return and catch of the Super Heavy booster that will blast the rocket off the launchpad.
—Greg Wehner, Fox News, 26 Feb. 2025
The lineup is filled with major premieres, from headliners starring A-list talent to indies that could serve as launchpads for the next wave of exciting voices.
—Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 25 Feb. 2025
The Strip, used as a launchpad for attacks against Israel and a breeding ground for radicalization, has become a symbol of failure - not just for Hamas, but for the Palestinian leadership that has failed to reform its own society.
—Kristan Hawkins, Newsweek, 6 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for launchpad
Recent Examples of Synonyms for launchpad
Noun
-
The Future May Be Port-Free Just imagine: no USB-C connector at the base of the phone, with only charging through a charging pad as an option, and with data synced exclusively wirelessly.—
David Phelan,
Forbes,
19 Mar. 2025
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The mission was the 3rd in less than 30 hours for SpaceX among its 2 Florida and 1 California launch pads.—
Richard Tribou,
Orlando Sentinel,
18 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is investigating after a Delta Air Lines plane nearly crashed midair with a T-38 Air Force jet Friday near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), just months after a January collision at the airport claimed 67 lives.—
Alexandra Koch,
FOXNews.com,
29 Mar. 2025
-
The gathering near the airport had been planned as a peaceful rally, but trouble began when some protesters in a white pickup drove at a police barricade.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
29 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
The strike will likely disrupt strike operations from the airfield and force Russia to replenish munitions stock and Russian aircraft would have been dispersed to surrounding airfields in response, the ministry added.—
Paul Du Quenoy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 Mar. 2025
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Separately, the Ukrainian Army General Staff said that its attack at Engels military airfield in Russia on March 20 had destroyed 96 air-to-air cruise missiles and significant reserves of aviation fuel.—
John Leicester,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Mar. 2025
Noun
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The aim is to commercialize both piloted and autonomous civilian aircraft and the $1.4 billion will be spent creating a city-wide infrastructure for flying vehicles, with over 100 take-off and landing points in Guangzhou, a large general aviation aerodrome and a fleet of airborne taxis.—
Mike Hanlon,
New Atlas,
13 Aug. 2024
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And a huge concrete area that looked like an aerodrome was awaiting rebuilding as a new suburb.—
Charlie Hobbs,
Condé Nast Traveler,
24 May 2024
Cite this Entry
“Launchpad.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/launchpad. Accessed 3 Apr. 2025.
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